MUSHKEGOWUK – JAMES BAY – NDP Shadow Minister for Forestry, Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk – James Bay) has released the following statement in response to the recent government forestry announcement:
"The government’s announcement of an additional $20 million for wildland firefighting infrastructure is a step forward, but after what Northern Ontario experienced this fire season, it simply falls short of what is needed.
"Our frontline wildland firefighters and experienced fire management personnel have been sounding the alarm. They know what it takes to protect our communities, and Doug Ford needs to start listening to them.
"Investing money only after a crisis escalates is not a plan. The government needs to properly fund the wildland fire program and provide the base operating budget firefighters have been asking for in the sum of approximately 300 million per year.
"Funding, however, is only part of the problem. People managing fires in Northern Ontario need the authority to make decisions locally. They understand the terrain, the communities, the available resources, the weather, and the conditions on the ground. Instead, over the years, decision-making and command have become centralized and moved away from the regions. The local expertise is invaluable during an emergency and must be at the center of our wildfire response.
"Finally, we continue to support the call from First Nations leadership for a full, independent public inquiry into Ontario’s response to the 2026 wildfire season. Communities deserve answers about preparedness, communications, evacuations, resource allocation, and the decisions that were made before and during this crisis.
"We urge Doug Ford and his ministers to learn from what happened and fix what is not working, and to stop treating Northern Communities as an afterthought that only gets actions after preventable crises worsen. We have experienced and dedicated people on the front lines. We need to give them the resources, authority, and support they need to do their jobs and keep Northern communities safe."