Whitehorse – With another challenging wildfire season ongoing and wildfires increasing in frequency and severity across Canada — impacting our health, economies, communities and wildlife — the Governments of Canada and Yukon are supporting Canadians and residents of Yukon who are threatened by wildfires.
Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley, on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, with Richard Mostyn, Minister of Community Services, announced a joint investment of over $21 million over five years through the Government of Canada’s Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program (FMWCC) – Equipment Fund.
This joint investment will support the Yukon’s efforts to purchase wildland firefighting equipment such as personal protective equipment, weather stations and utility task vehicles. This investment will also increase capacity to respond to wildland fires by training and hiring additional wildland firefighters as well as seasonal extensions to respond to wildfires early and late in the fire season. By procuring and upgrading specialized wildland firefighting equipment and hiring and training more personnel, the Yukon will be better prepared to respond to wildfires. This result will enhance safety for communities and firefighters and improve the sharing of resources across Canada. To date, the Yukon has purchased pumps, hoses, radios, and structural protection trailers and equipment with the funding.
Keeping Canadians safe and healthy is a top priority for the Governments of Canada and Yukon. By working together with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and international allies, the federal government continues to address and support the fight against wildfires, ensure public safety and protect homes, livelihoods and lives.
“The federal government is urgently working to respond to ongoing fires by providing provinces, territories and partners with the support they need to address the challenges posed by wildfires. Today’s announcement with the Government of Yukon highlights our commitment to working together to mitigate and respond to wildfires through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate Program. Through tangible and fast-flowing funding, the Government of Canada is helping to address the current wildfire season and prepare for future challenges.” – Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources