The Emergency Management Booking Portal addresses the critical need for rapid and effective evacuation procedures in response to climate crises in British Columbia.
This pilot booking system is designed to quickly and efficiently move evacuees to safe shelters, easing the booking process for Emergency Support Services teams, first responders, and displaced people.
As of June 2025, the portal is inactive. The BCHA is working with the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to have the portal reinstated.
Swift and efficient
Simplifies the process of booking rooms and finding shelter for evacuees and first responders.
Seamless collaboration in real-time among Emergency Support Services (ESS) teams, first responders, accommodation providers, and government agencies.
Provides up-to-date information on room availability, reporting, and payment processes.
Allows Emergency Support Services to facilitate bookings while accommodation suppliers can focus on providing essential support to evacuees.
Who Benefits from the
Enables Emergency Support Services teams to make quick accommodation arrangements for evacuees and first responders.
Hotels, campgrounds, and bed & breakfasts can manage and update their lodging inventory to ensure streamlined booking.
Displaced individuals who are in need of finding temporary shelter during emergencies.
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Administrators can track reservations and booking metrics.
Additional
The Emergency Management Booking Portal is a pilot booking system aimed at enhancing coordination, efficiency, and reporting for evacuees, Emergency Support Services, first responders, Red Cross, RCMP, BC Wildfire, and Armed Forces:
Current Guidance:
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) has provided the following update regarding their current approach and considerations:
During an evacuation, Reception Centre teams connect directly with community confirmed hotel suppliers to receive up-to-date room availabilities and process accommodation referrals for evacuees. Since the launch of the $200 shelter allowance, an increasing number of evacuees are skipping the paper referral and using this option to book the accommodation of their choice. The $200 e-transfer can be processed virtually, saving evacuees a trip to their physical Reception Centre. For more information, go to: ess.gov.bc.ca
Further Resources:
Evacuee Accommodation Supports FQ – Update for Emergency Support Services Teams
Shelter Allowance Overview – Update for Emergency Support Services Teams
When an emergency happens, it is critical people know where they can go for refuge and have the necessary support available to them. We expect the new commercial lodging reservation system will make it easier for ESS responders to help people secure a place to stay and find relief during an emergency event or evacuation, whether they are residents, visitors to our province, or emergency personnel.”
Former Minister, Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
When thousands of people are forced to evacuate their homes at once due to emergencies such as wildfires or flooding, coordinating emergency supports for evacuees can become challenging. This partnership with the BC Hotel Association introduces an innovative portal that provides real-time information on available lodging.”
Former Minister, Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
If you are an accommodations or lodging provider in BC, and would like to have your property and its live availability listed on the portal if/when it is again active, we would like to hear from you.
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved BC Hotel Association
As the summer season begins and wildfire activity has already begun to impact parts of British Columbia, including areas near major visitor destinations, the BCHA continues to advocate for the reinstatement of the Emergency Management Booking Platform.
In late April, the BCHA was notified that the Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) Ministry would be defunding the emergency accommodation booking platform and associated coordination roles. In response, BCHA immediately convened a coalition of tourism and accommodation sector partners to express concern and push for the platform’s continuation. Over the past several weeks, we have escalated the matter directly to Minister Greene and, more recently, Premier Eby, reinforcing that this decision presents serious risks without a transitional solution in place. Our hospitality sector has always demonstrated leadership and been available to help at times of need.
Our scheduled meeting with Minister Greene (EMCR) and Minister Chandra Herbert (Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport) has been rescheduled to next week. While the delay is disappointing, we are encouraged by the support of Minister Chandra Herbert and insights that EMCR is open to constructive conversation and solutions – BCHA and our sector is at the ready to work in full collaboration.
We continue to work closely with our partners and regional partners to ensure that practical, immediate solutions are implemented to support displaced residents and visitors, and ensure clear, coordinated communication with accommodation providers across the province.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) has provided the following update regarding their current approach and considerations:
During an evacuation, Reception Centre teams connect directly with community confirmed hotel suppliers to receive up-to-date room availabilities and process accommodation referrals for evacuees. Since the launch of the $200 shelter allowance, an increasing number of evacuees are skipping the paper referral and using this option to book the accommodation of their choice. The $200 e-transfer can be processed virtually, saving evacuees a trip to their physical Reception Centre. For more information, go to: ess.gov.bc.ca
We are hopeful that next week’s meeting will bring greater clarity and a clear path forward and will update our membership and industry on the outcomes.
In the meantime, we extend our sincere thanks to those hotels and communities already impacted by early-season emergencies for their responsiveness and continued commitment to public safety, seamless visitor experience and being great stewards.
Sincerely,
Paul Hawes
President & CEO, BC Hotel Association
