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Area MPP questions Ontario’s wildland firefighting preparedness; Premier denies cuts

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Questions are being raised on whether the Ministry of Natural Resources is adequately staffed for this wildland fire season.

The province states that 156 fire crews are currently on the front lines, along with nearly 50 waterbombers and helicopters assisting from the air.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois says the Ministry has suffered the last two seasons from a lack of Fire Rangers and pilots to fly its waterbombers.

She says two waterbombers have been parked on a tarmac because no pilots are available.

“I know from speaking with one of our contacts who’s a wildland firefighter that there were not enough pilots hired, or they couldn’t hire them because they’re not paying enough, and those pilots are going to other provinces,” says Vaugeois.

“We also know that they do not have a full complement of crews, and they did not last year. They do not have a full 200 wildfire crews.”

The NDP member is also worried about the MNR having enough helicopters to move crews or dump water.

Vaugeois is also frustrated with what she says has been a lack of information to evacuees or other residents impacted by the fires.

She says some people have been turned to her constituency office for help or guidance.

“I know that the city is working to the best of its ability to help people, but I’m very, very frustrated as a provincial representative not to be automatically in the loop,” says Vaugeois.

Vaugeois is also disappointed that the Premier or his cabinet ministers have not made an effort to visit evacuees and the firefighters trying to put out the flames.

Premier Doug Ford, though, defends his government’s commitment to fighting the wildland fires.

He denied opposition claims that the Ministry of Natural Resources firefighting budget has been cut, stating that since 2018, the base budget has more than doubled, and all expenses over it have been fully covered.

“If you add up everything, it’s well in excess, just on an overall budget, over a billion and a half dollars,” says Ford.

He says last year’s spending totalled $271 million.

Ford says they have also added over 68 new permanent positions with the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services this year, adding to the 100 brought on board last year.

“We increase compensation for critical frontline staff, including wildland firefighters, pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers, to recruit and retain the skilled professionals who keep Ontario safe,” says Ford.

Ford says Ontario has also committed over $650 million to purchase five new helicopters and six water bombers.

He intends to discuss with the federal government next week the need for its support to purchase additional aircraft.

Several of Forest trees burned during the dry season. A forest fire at night.

Opposition says government decisions impacting northern Ontario’s wildland fire fight

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The Ford government is facing criticism for the increased wildland fire activity in northern Ontario.

Opposition MPPs are pointing to the government’s response to climate change and the resources available to the Ministry of Natural Resources to fight the fires.

NDP Leader Marit Stiles says the fire activity is the result of the government’s choices.

“Doug Ford chose to ignore Ontario’s climate commitments. He chose to let Ontario’s wildland firefighting force shrink year after year while his own firefighters begged him to fix it,” says Stiles.

“And when he was asked about climate change and these fires, he blamed campers.”

Stiles is also critical of the federal government.

“Now the federal government is telling us we need to roll back our climate commitments. Roll them back? Tell that to the people of Collins First Nation,” says Stiles.

Collins is reportedly to have suffered extensive damage from a wildfire, although a full assessment has yet to be made.

Green Party Leader Mike Scheiner says the smoky sky being experienced in southern Ontario from the fires in northern Ontario should be a red alert for the Premier.

He says continued underfunding of emergency firefighting budgets and decisions to invest in fossil fuels are making severe weather events worse.

“This government can no longer ignore the very real and dangerous impacts of the climate crisis,” states Schreiner in a release.

“Wildland firefighters are working hard to get these fires under control and keep people safe. It’s time for this government to step up and do its part.”

The Ontario Liberals note that the province entered the fire season facing shortages of crews, pilots and equipment.

Sixty-eight 68 permanent firefighting and support positions were added, but the Liberals say serious recruitment and retention issues remain.

“The north will come together, as it always does, but its resilience cannot excuse a government that failed to prepare,” states Ted Hsu, Ontario Liberal Critic for Rural Affairs, Natural Resources, Mining & Forestry.

“Protecting Ontario means protecting all of Ontario, with enough crews, equipment and funding in place before the next emergency.”

In a social media post, Natural Resources Minister Mike Harris does not directly address the concerns expressed.

He does indicate that “Ontario fire crews and emergency responders are actively responding to wildland fires across the province, including challenging fires in the northwest.”

Harris adds that several hundred wildland firefighters, along with 40 aircraft, including helicopters and waterbombers, are involved in the suppression efforts under challenging conditions.