As Ottawa promises a better response to natural disasters, communities say they need money now

Ottawa's emergency preparedness minister has warned that this summer could be even worse than last year's record-breaking wildfire season — while communities on the front lines say they need money for prevention right now.The remains of a house south of Hay River, NWT smoulder after a wildfire ripped through the area in August 2023.

McCormick's town has spent millions of dollars — much of it money obtained through provincial grants — on measures that helped protect his community last summer. A nearby fire last summer was held off thanks to controlled forest burns conducted years before. The city has dipped into its own budget to update its communication systems and hire an emergency manager, she said.

"Actually moving patio furniture out of the way, because most of the patio furniture, when it lights up, it burns longer and it burns brighter and then the house has a potentially to catch on fire," Sajjan said.Anabela Bonada of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo said governments need to act now.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Chris Barber suing Ottawa for freezing accountsChris Barber, who owns a trucking company in southwestern Saskatchewan, filed last week a statement of claim in Court of King’s Bench in Saskatoon.
Source: GlobalCalgary - 🏆 50. / 61 Read more »

Ottawa appeals court decision calling use of Emergencies Act on convoy protests unreasonablePolice enforce an injunction against protesters, some who have been camped in their trucks near Parliament Hill for weeks, on Feb. 19, 2022.
Source: CBCOttawa - 🏆 68. / 51 Read more »

One day of frigid conditions in Ottawa before it warms up againA 24-hour cold snap will have you shivering, but warmer weather is just around the corner.
Source: ctvottawa - 🏆 29. / 67 Read more »

Ottawa’s online harms act to make websites crack down on child pornographyThe bill would force internet service providers to report child pornography and would create new offences under the Criminal Code
Source: globepolitics - 🏆 12. / 78 Read more »

It's time for the weekly CBC Ottawa news quizTime for the weekly CBC Ottawa news quiz. How closely have you been paying attention over the past seven days?
Source: CBCOttawa - 🏆 68. / 51 Read more »

Ottawa to create regulator to hold online platforms accountable for harmful content: sourcesAn initial proposal by the government would have seen tech giants forced to remove harmful content and also report it to law enforcement.
Source: CBCPolitics - 🏆 79. / 51 Read more »