SUMMERSIDE, PE, June 28,
2024 /CNW/ - Wildfires are increasing in frequency
and in severity across Canada
because of climate change, impacting our health, economies,
communities and wildlife. As another difficult wildfire season is
underway, the Governments of Canada and Prince
Edward Island will support Canadians and Islanders
threatened by wildfires while strengthening our ability to adapt to
a changing climate.
Today, Robert J. Morrissey,
Member of Parliament, Egmont, Prince
Edward Island, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan
Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the
Honourable Barb Ramsay, Minister of Social Development and Seniors
on behalf of The Honourable Steven Myers, Minister of Environment,
Energy and Climate Action announced a joint investment of over
$3 million over four years through
the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program —
Equipment Fund (FMWCC). The funding will help the province procure
and increase wildland fire equipment and personnel, support
resource exchanges and unlock community-based capacity.
Funding announced today will strengthen capacities and
capabilities in fire management and across P.E.I. by procuring and
upgrading specialized wildland firefighting equipment, such as
hoses, trucks and contracted services for air support, as well as
training materials and job opportunities for fire weather
specialists, supervisors and students. As a result, Canada's wildland fire preparedness and
response efforts will improve response efforts to advance the
safety of both communities and firefighters.
Keeping Canadians safe and healthy is the government's top
priority. Working together with provinces, territories, Indigenous
communities and international allies, the federal government
continues to address and support the fight against wildfires while
combating the effects of climate change and ensuring public safety
and protecting homes, livelihoods and lives.
Quotes
"In 2023, Canada experienced
the most devastating and severe wildfire season in our nation's
history and Canadians across the country are counting on the
federal government to continue working urgently with provinces,
territories and partners to support communities during the 2024
season. As we face predictions of intense temperatures and dry
conditions over the next few months, this federal government is
acting to meet the needs of Canadians where and when wildfires
occur. Today's announcement with the Government of Prince Edward Island will help to procure
life-saving equipment and personnel. Through tangible and
fast-flowing FMWCC funding, the Government of Canada is helping firefighters respond to the
current wildfire season and prepare for a future where the impact
of climate change on the severity of wildfires is increasingly
obvious."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
"Canadians are feeling the effects of a changing climate and
wildfires burning with greater intensity is one of them. The health
and safety of Canadians is a top priority for the Government of
Canada and that is why we will
continue to provide the support needed to mitigate and respond to
wildfires. The Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing
Climate Equipment Fund Program will support the efforts in P.E.I.
in fire management for this wildfire season and seasons to
come."
Robert J.
Morrissey
Member of Parliament, Egmont Prince
Edward Island
"Already this year, we've seen P.E.I.'s firefighters put to the
test fighting wildland fires. Due to climate change and extreme
weather, P.E.I. is at greater risk of forest fires, but we are also
in unprecedently good shape to respond thanks to investments in
training, equipment and thanks to our dedicated fire fighters."
The Honourable Steven Myers
Minister of
Environment, Energy and Climate Action
Quick Facts
- Both Canada and P.E.I. are
providing $1.5 million through a
contribution agreement under the FMWCC – Equipment Fund.
- The FMWCC Equipment Fund was launched in 2022 to support
provinces and territories in strengthening fire management
capacities and capabilities across the country by facilitating the
purchase of wildland firefighting equipment to increase capacity to
respond to wildland fires.
- The Government of Canada is
working with communities and organizations affected by wildfires to
better understand the unique role the federal government plays in
serving these communities, to offer nationally recognized equipment
to support all firefighters to be better equipped to respond to
wildland fires and to support a more sustainable approach to
training, employment, and all hazards management in Indigenous
communities and beyond.
- Under NRCan's FMWCC provinces and territories can cost-share
investments with the Government of Canada for equipment, such as vehicles, mobile
units, avionics upgrades (parts), hoses, pumps, enhanced
communications equipment, and the repair of aging equipment and
training.
Related products
- Canadian Wildland Fire Information System: Monthly and Seasonal
Forecasts
- Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy
- Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate
Program
- WildFireSat: Enhancing Canada's ability to manage
wildfires
- Wildfires - Canada.ca
- Canada's National Adaptation
Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy
- Wildfire Response in Prince Edward
Island
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada