NDP puts legislature’s focus on wildfires

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During question period Tuesday, NDP MPP John Vanthof called on the Ford government for an update on the wildfires, and asked for assurances that it will provide all the resources necessary to protect northerners from one of Northern Ontario’s worst forest fire seasons in memory.

“We greatly appreciate the heroic efforts of the fire rangers, water bomber crews, volunteers, community members and everyone who is risking their lives, and in one case sacrificing their life, to fight the fires,” said Vanthof. “Our deepest sympathy goes to the Gadwa family.”

Jerry Gadwa, from the Kehewin Cree Nation in Alberta, died while helping to fight fires in Northwestern Ontario, near Red Lake. Jerry Gadwa was a 20-year veteran firefighter and father of a 10-year-old boy.

Some of the fires have been categorized as out of control for weeks. Evacuations have taken place and evacuation alerts have been issued in several areas.

“Can this government assure northerners that all available resources will be requested, and that these resources will be focused on the fires until they are brought under control?” asked Vanthof, who is the MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane.

Vanthof called on the Ford government to protect tourist camp operators, forestry contractors, and farmers who might have to evacuate their livestock, and whose economic survival is at stake.

“Can this government assure them that the province will institute measures to help them survive this disaster?”