Metro Vancouver is located near the San Andreas fault which causes the area to be very susceptible to earthquakes. According to Natural Resources Canada, six out of the ten highest magnitude earthquakes of the past 400 years in Canada have occurred off the shores of British Columbia. Furthermore, Metro Vancouver has not experienced a major earthquake since 1970 suggesting that another major earthquake is likely, given the historical pattern of events. Metro Vancouver must begin to prepare for another large earthquake since history has proven itself in the past. Our youth which attend public schools in Metro Vancouver are at risk and something must be done to protect them.

Many schools in Metro Vancouver have become old and are in dire need of seismic upgrades. British Columbia's Ministry of Education has projected expenditures of $254 million dollars for seismic upgrades to 95 high risk schools in British Columbia. The slow process of completing seismic upgrades has already begun; however, there are still a large number of schools which require these important upgrades.

Below is a map which displays 2004 data collected by British Columbia's Ministry of Education. The three school districts in Metro Vancouver which are at the most risk of a major earthquake and require major seismic upgrades are Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby. Within these three areas according to the Ministry of Education's 2004 data, there is a very high chance your child is attending a school which requires seismic upgrades. However, it is important to note these high risk areas are being assessed and seismic upgrades are a priority in these districts within Metro Vancouver.

2004 Values taken from British Columbia's Ministry of Education

Long Beach California 1933 Earthquake: Estimated Magnitude of 6.25

High Risk % are calculated by:

(# of high risk schools + # of high & moderate risk schools) / (by the total # of schools in each district)

• The Province has budgeted $254 million for seismic upgrades to 95 schools as the first part of a $1.5 billion plan to make BC's public schools earthquake safe. School boards are undertaking feasibility studies to confirm the seismic risk and scope of required remediation.

• However, as shown, there is still a great deal of construction and upgrading that needs to be completed in order for the schools within the district of Vancouver to be safe and able to withstand an earthquake.

News Article

Times Colonist: Seismic Upgrades Too Slow