NDP MPPs urge the Ford government to do their job and protect Ontario amidst dangerous wildfires

THUNDER BAY — Northern Ontario MPPs Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk–James Bay) and Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay–Superior North) are calling on the Ford government to take urgent action to support Ontario’s wildland firefighters, who remain underfunded, undervalued, and overstretched as the province faces another dangerous wildfire season.

“With record-breaking fires already burning through the North, this government’s lack of preparedness is putting people, communities, and entire ecosystems at risk,” said Bourgouin. “Our wildland firefighters are our front-line defenders, but they’re working without the tools, support, or respect they need. That’s unacceptable.”

“Year after year, we’re told the government is ‘monitoring the situation.’ But communities in the North can’t wait,” said Bourgouin. “The next big fire is already here—and Ontario is not ready.”

"Where is the evidence that new water-bombers have been ordered? The North is burning now, and the government is just wasting time,” said Vaugeois. “There are three Ontario water bombers grounded because there's no crews to fly them. Can the Premier tell us where the receipts are for any new water bombers that have been ordered and who will fly them?

“These workers put their lives on the line, but this government is treating them like they're disposable,” said Vaugeois. “They’re facing dangerous conditions with inadequate equipment, too few crew members, and not enough experienced leadership on the ground. That is a failure of planning and political will to address dangerous forest fires putting people’s lives at risk across the province.”

The Ontario NDP is renewing its call for the Ford government to:

• Immediately invest in new and properly maintained firefighting equipment, including aircrafts
• Doug Ford promised 6 new water-bombers during the recent election, but there is no evidence these aircrafts have been ordered
• Ensure every region of the province has enough trained, well-supported staff to respond to growing wildfire threats
• Immediately increase wildfire program annual budget to $300M to support a proactive wildfire response and plan ahead
• Address retention crisis by improving pay, benefits, and job security