EDMONTON — As wildfires continue to ravage Alberta, federal and provincial leaders convened today to address the response efforts. Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan and Alberta’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis fielded questions from the media, just hours after Premier Danielle Smith’s conference, providing crucial updates on the coordinated federal response.
Minister Sajjan emphasized the collective sympathy for evacuees, assuring that all levels of government are committed to supporting those affected. He confirmed that the federal Incident Response Group, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had convened to ensure coordinated federal support for Alberta. “The Prime Minister can coordinate all federal support, which he has already committed to the premier, ensuring that they have all the resources,” Sajjan stated.
Questions arose regarding the necessity of a national centralized emergency response agency akin to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States. Sajjan noted that Parks Canada has a dedicated wildfire response team that extends its support to provincial efforts, emphasizing the rapid mobilization of resources to the affected areas. “Given the intensity of the fire, every request was approved through CIFC, ourselves, and the provincial support,” Sajjan explained.
Addressing concerns about the timeliness of federal assistance, Minister Ellis highlighted the unpredictability and severity of the wildfires. “When you’re talking about a hundred-meter firewall moving five kilometers in thirty minutes, there’s not much that can be done,” Ellis said, defending the efforts of firefighters from Parks Canada. He praised the collaborative efforts between federal and provincial agencies, noting that all necessary resources were provided promptly.
The media sought clarity on the step-by-step process for requesting federal assistance. Sajjan described the dynamic nature of wildfire response, with initial responsibility falling on Parks Canada for incidents in national parks. A critical incident command team, including municipal and provincial representatives, coordinates the response, with the Government Operations Center maintaining situation awareness and coordinating resources nationally. “Resources are always looked at where they’re needed most, including international resources,” Sajjan noted, mentioning the arrival of 400 international firefighters and incident command teams from Australia, Mexico, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Ellis elaborated on the communication and coordination between federal and provincial bodies, stressing that all requested resources were authorized and deployed efficiently. “Minister Sajjan has been wonderful in ensuring collaboration between the province and the federal government,” Ellis remarked, acknowledging the challenges faced by frontline responders.
In closing, both ministers expressed gratitude to the emergency personnel and highlighted the importance of timely evacuations and public adherence to emergency alerts. “The fact that no lives have been lost is a testament to the dedication and efficiency of our emergency services,” Sajjan stated.