In a shocking turn of events, Chris Rampersad, a trucker from Chilliwack, British Columbia, discovered that his home was assessed at just $2 due to landslide risks. This drastic devaluation follows a series of heavy rains in November 2021 that caused significant landslides in the Fraser Valley, leading to widespread evacuations and property damage.

On the night of the landslide, Rampersad left his home at 2:45 a.m. When he returned later that day, he found a small landslide had occurred, stopping just five meters from his house. Although there was some mud and debris, he initially felt relieved that his home had escaped major damage. However, the situation quickly deteriorated. The following day, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) ordered him to evacuate due to the potential for a larger landslide.

Less than a year later, Rampersad attended a meeting at Chilliwack city hall, where officials informed him that geotechnical reports deemed his home unsafe. In 2024, he learned that the province had assessed his property’s value at a mere $2—$1 for the land and $1 for the home. This was a stark contrast to the previous year when his property was valued at $780,000.

Provincial officials later informed Rampersad that no financial assistance would be provided. Tara Richards, the deputy minister of emergency management and climate readiness, wrote to him, stating, "I know this is not the outcome that you had been hoping for and that this may be very difficult news to receive." He was advised to vacate the property if he had not already done so.

Rampersad is not alone; five other property owners in the Chilliwack River valley received similar news regarding their homes, which also faced increased landslide risks due to the torrential rains of 2021. These atmospheric rivers caused billions of dollars in damages across British Columbia, displacing thousands of residents.

For over two and a half years, Rampersad believed the government was working on a solution, possibly considering buyouts for affected properties. In 2023, George Heyman, then environment minister, acknowledged the situation and mentioned ongoing discussions with local officials. However, Rampersad expressed disbelief that the government would provide no assistance, stating, "I never thought the government would provide no help."

Provincial officials later clarified that the six property owners did not qualify for assistance because their buildings had not sustained damage, a requirement for the province’s disaster assistance program. This decision comes despite hundreds of millions in federal funds allocated to help offset storm damage costs in B.C., with the federal government estimating its share of the storm damage at $3.4 billion.

The Emergency Management Ministry stated that their disaster financial assistance program "is unable to provide compensation for damage or erosion of land." The B.C. government has not provided a clear explanation for the absence of a provincial buyout program, which is available in other provinces like Alberta and Quebec.

Local officials in the Fraser Valley Regional District have pointed to the province for answers regarding buyouts. Jennifer Kinneman, the chief administrative officer for the district, noted that buyouts are a "provincial decision."

Experts in natural hazard risks suggest that the B.C. government may be reluctant to consider buyouts to avoid setting a precedent that could lead to more claims as climate change increases landslide risks. Glenn McGillivray, managing director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, emphasized the potential financial implications, stating, "They just might open that door that, you know, that they wish they had never opened before."

A 2023 review identified over 3,600 properties in the Fraser Valley facing steep-creek risks, surpassing the 2,700 properties at risk of flooding. The province has acknowledged that landslide risks are increasing due to heavy rains, floods, and wildfires, which can destabilize soil.

The costs of potential buyouts could reach hundreds of millions of dollars. Other provinces have successfully implemented buyout programs after natural disasters, with Alberta allocating $137 million for buyouts following severe floods in 2013. Quebec has spent $50 million on buyouts after repeated flooding, while New Brunswick and Newfoundland have also engaged in similar efforts.

The rationale behind buyouts is that relocating residents can be more cost-effective in the long run, preventing repeated payouts for damages from natural disasters. However, the B.C. government currently places the responsibility for buyouts on local municipalities, which may hesitate to set a precedent for future claims.

Historically, the B.C. government has intervened in buyouts, such as funding the purchase of 63 properties for $17 million in Grand Forks after flooding in 2018. In previous years, the government also bought out properties in the Chilliwack River valley after landslides in 2009 and 2011.

As Rampersad and his neighbors face uncertain futures, the lack of a clear provincial buyout program raises questions about the government's commitment to addressing the growing risks posed by climate change and natural disasters.