B.C. United含羞草研究社檚 Jackie Tegart,MLA for Fraser-Nicola, said the announced investigation into the rebuilding of Lytton must be 含羞草研究社渁 turning point.含羞草研究社�

Tegart made that comment after B.C.含羞草研究社檚 Auditor General Michael Pickup Wednesday (May 1) announced that his office will be examining the provincial government含羞草研究社檚 role in Lytton含羞草研究社檚 ongoing recovery from the Lytton Creek wildfire. It started on June 30, 2021, and destroyed most of the village, destroying more than 100 properties.

含羞草研究社淔or three years, Lytton residents have been forced to live outside of their community with no clear timeline for when they will be able to return to their homes,含羞草研究社� Tegart said. 含羞草研究社淥n July 5, 2023, I sent a letter formally requesting the Auditor General launch a full and transparent investigation into the delayed recovery efforts and it is encouraging that this investigation is now underway.含羞草研究社�

Pickup含羞草研究社檚 office will focus on three areas: the roles and responsibilities of the provincial government for disaster recovery; B.C.含羞草研究社檚 support for Lytton, including the funding it contributed; and the challenged faced in the rebuilding Lytton and B.C.含羞草研究社檚 opportunities for improvement.

Pickup said he is expected to release findings in early 2025.

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Emergency Minister Bowinn Ma said her ministry welcomes whatever recommendations are coming from Pickup含羞草研究社檚 office, because there are lessons to be learnt. Everybody wants it to be re-built as fast as possible, she said.

含羞草研究社淧eople want answers,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淣ow, the province含羞草研究社檚 focus has been on finding ways to support the village with their rebuild. I am looking forward to how we can improve on our recovery efforts in supporting communities, especially as climate change increases the likelihood of disasters like this.含羞草研究社�

Ma acknowledged that none of the five issued building permits so far have resulted in homes, but also points to the addition of broader services like an RCMP station.

含羞草研究社淭here are conversations being led by Interior Health on plans for a permanent health care facility in the community,含羞草研究社� she said.

She praised the work of the current mayor and council, but also acknowledged that the 含羞草研究社渃ommunity-led recovery model含羞草研究社� successful elsewhere has not work in Lytton given the scale of devastation.