Climate change is causing wildfires to become more frequent and more severe across Canada, threatening our health, economies and wildlife. As this year's unprecedented wildfire season continues in many provinces and territories, the Government of Canada is continuing to support Canadians now while strengthening the country's ability to adapt to a changing climate.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada; the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services; the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages; the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Prairies Economic Development Canada; and Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, today announced that more than $65 million in federal funding has been committed so far through for six agreements through the $256-million Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate - Equipment Fund.
Single and multi-year agreements with Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Yukon will support the efforts of provinces and territories to strengthen capacities and capabilities in fire management across Canada by procuring specialized wildland firefighting equipment such as fire crew trucks and personal protective equipment.
The Ministers also announced that both British Columbia and the Northwest Territories recently signed agreements with the federal government to access the maximum available funding under this program. This will see federal contributions of over $28.5 million for the Northwest Territories and $32 million for British Columbia over five years. With funding already flowing this year, these newly expanded agreements will provide consistent support for British Columbia and the Northwest Territories to secure lifesaving equipment and personnel.
The Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate program provides $256 million over five years, starting 2022-2023, to support provinces and territories. The six agreements detailed today are the first of many that will further strengthen fire management capacities and capabilities across the country by facilitating the purchase of wildland firefighting equipment to increase capacity to respond and prepare for wildland fires.
These agreements build on important actions to date, including through the first phase of the Wildland Firefighter Training Fund that will train up to 630 firefighters and 125 Indigenous fire guardians and pilot Responding to the Interface training for structural firefighters in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The Government of Canada has also announced a long-term investment in the one-of-a-kind WildFireSat satellite mission. Additionally, as outlined in the National Adaptation Strategy, the Government of Canada has committed to improving resilience strategies and preparedness efforts to reduce disaster risks.
Ministers Wilkinson, Sajjan, Hajdu, Boissonnault and Vandal and MP McLeod also provided an update on the actions that the Government of Canada has taken so far to support communities impacted and threatened by wildfires and how it will continue to support Canadians through this year's fire season and future seasons.
Also today, Government of Canada officials provided an updated forecast for the remainder of the 2023 wildfire season. Canada has leveraged its significant resources from coast to coast to coast this wildland fire season to respond to the considerable challenges Canadians are facing. Current forecasts indicate the possibility for increased wildland fire activity in central Canada during September, from eastern Alberta through to central Ontario. Fall is typically when new wildland fire occurrence begins to taper off due to cooler night temperatures and decreases in lightning activity. However, predictions for ongoing warm and dry weather may contribute to new fire starts, and there remains a likelihood that some existing large fires may continue to be active through September and possibly later into fall or winter.
By working together with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and our international allies, the federal government is supporting the fight against wildfires and combating the effects of climate change, while ensuring public safety and protecting homes, livelihoods and lives.
