441-00269 (Environment)

The Government of Canada acknowledges the importance of, and the need to invest in, measures that will reduce the impact of climate-related disasters. This will make communities safer and more resilient. As wildland fire seasons continue to create risk for Canadian lives and livelihoods, the issue of how governments collectively and individually prepare and respond to these events, as well as how to engage the whole-of-society in prevention and mitigation, is of growing importance.

This is why the Government of Canada is developing a whole-of-society approach to address ongoing challenges with wildland fire, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction that will support a resilient forest sector. Federal programs will continue to advance forest management adaptive practices and support wildland fire preparedness and response, a critical part towards building disaster resilience, thriving environments, strong economies, and improved public health outcomes. Budget 2022 proposes additional actions to counter the growing threat of wildfires in Canada, by investing $383 million over five years in training and employment supports for community-based wildland firefighters, and in firefighting equipment and capacity. Investments will include $269 million over five years to strengthen provincial and territorial capabilities, and $39.2 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to support the purchase of firefighting equipment by First Nations communities. In addition, Budget 2022 proposes $176.81 million over 11 years, starting in 2022-23, to deliver and operate a new wildfire monitoring satellite system.

Canada will continue to work with Provincial and Territorial Forest Ministers through the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM) to implement collaboratively the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy, which outlines the actions and partnerships that are required to better predict and prepare for wildland fire events. At its fall 2021 meeting, the CCFM endorsed the launch of the Canadian Dialogue on Wildland Fire and Forest Resilience, to convene and mobilize whole-of-society action to address the growing risk of wildland fire. Five dialogue sessions took place in February 2022, with approximately 100 stakeholders from diverse sectors of society, actively participating in the roundtables to help identify specific actions to prevent and mitigate risks. In addition, Natural Resources Canada recently consulted jurisdictions on their wildland fire needs and priorities.

While transforming wildland fire management in Canada will take time, the Government of Canada will work to build that brighter future through continued collaboration, engagement, and the use of science and evidence-based decision-making. The Government of Canada is committed to working with jurisdictions, Indigenous communities, and other partners to identify tangible actions to better prevent and mitigate wildland fires, to protect communities, and improve forest health.