Parliamentary Committee Notes: Lytton Recovery Support Programs

Recovery

The wildfires that tore through the Village of Lytton were devastating to the community.
In the first few days of disaster response, the Government of Canada was there to help get people out and get equipment in to save lives.
Now, as the village is beginning to rebuild, we are there, in community, supporting recovery.
Working with our partners including the Province of British Columbia, the Village of Lytton, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Indigenous communities and leadership in the region, the Government of Canada has committed over $77 million in funding to help Lytton rebuild, while also becoming a leading example of resilient, Net Zero design to better protect against wildfires in the future.

Recovery and rebuilding after a catastrophic event such as the Lytton wildfires is complex. There are several factors that have had an impact on the rebuilding of the community, including toxic soil left over by the fire and archaeological work, to preserve artifacts and heritage, which needs to take place before reconstruction can begin.
A lot of decision-making is required from residents and local officials before shovels are in the ground. That can be difficult following a traumatic event. We have been in Lytton providing information on our programs, convening key partners like insurance companies, community futures organizations, and builders, providing business information workshops, supporting residents and local officials.

This program provides grants for eligible homeowners in and around the community of Lytton who wish to rebuild fire-resilient and Net Zero homes.

PacifiCan's programs opened in 2023 and remain open for applications.
Homeowners and business owners need time to make important decisions about rebuilding homes and businesses.
PacifiCan staff are regularly in the community to answer any questions and help applicants through the application process.

The Lytton Business Program is helping businesses reestablish in the community
We are giving priority to core businesses as defined by the community itself, and to returning businesses but the program is also open to new businesses who want to contribute to rebuilding a vibrant, community-oriented economy in Lytton
Returning and new businesses can apply for support through the program. We've simplified processes to further respond to the community's needs.

On June 20, 2021, devastating wildfires tore through the Village of Lytton, British Columbia (B.C.), causing tragic loss of life and catastrophic damage to the community's homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
PacifiCan is an active partner in support of Lytton's recovery, alongside Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Village of Lytton, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Indigenous communities, and leadership in the region.
PacifiCan is working directly with eligible homeowners and businesses to deliver two programs to support the rebuild and recovery of homes and businesses in the community of Lytton: the Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Program (LHRR) and the Lytton Business Restart Program (LBR) totalling $13.2 million.
Both programs are open for applications. PacifiCan staff offer one-on-one, in-person support to work through the application process.
In addition to the PacifiCan programming, Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada has committed $64 million to support the rebuilding of Lytton through the construction of Net Zero, fire-resistant public buildings.

The Lytton Homeowner Resilient Rebuild Program provides grants for eligible homeowners in and around the community of Lytton who wish to rebuild fire-resilient and Net Zero homes to help them with the extra cost of meeting these standards.
Eligible homeowners have the choice of two program pathways: rebuild fire-resilient or rebuild fire-resilient and Net Zero.
Fire-resilient and Net Zero construction offers homeowners many benefits – it is safer in the event of wildfire, saves energy and heating costs, and increases the value of the home.
Eligible applicants are owners of a residential property located in the Village of Lytton – or within 15 km of the Village – that was fully destroyed by the Lytton Creek Wildfire on June 30, 2021, and who plan to a build fire-resilient or Net Zero home as their primary residence.
Grants are provided upon the successful completion of home construction to fire-resilient or fire-resilient and Net Zero standards and fulfilling program requirements such being in receipt of attestations around Net Zero and energy efficiency.

The Lytton Business Restart Program helps eligible businesses reestablish in the community and rebuild the local economy. This includes Indigenous businesses and those operated by women, youth, and other underrepresented groups.
The program helps businesses by providing support for restart costs such as equipment, supplies construction expenses and other business expenses such as commercial space fit-up and communications. Returning businesses are given priority in the program.
Eligibility is open to small businesses that operate in the Village of Lytton or within 15 km of the Village, including on reserve, and are prepared to start operations alongside the rebuild of the Lytton community.