Communities across Canada continue to experience the effects of increasingly frequent and severe wildfires. To support local preparedness and resilience, the Governments of Canada and Quebec are investing in measures that help reduce wildfire risks and protect people, infrastructure and natural environments.
Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; Ian Lafrenière, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Domestic Security and Minister responsible for Relations with the First Nations and the Inuit; and Pascale Déry, Quebec's Minister of Environment, Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, announced a joint investment of $22 million over three years through the Canada-Quebec Agreement to Strengthen Community Resilience to Wildfires by Implementing Governance and Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Projects.
This funding will help communities better identify and address wildfire-related risks, notably by implementing practical measures at the local level, which can include managing vegetation and other combustibles near homes and critical infrastructure; strengthening municipal public safety plans; training local stakeholders; and increasing public awareness of actions residents can take to protect themselves.
By investing in risk prevention and reduction, the governments of Canada and Quebec are helping communities reduce potential damage, improve the public's safety and become more resilient to future wildfire events.
