As It Happens Can Canada think big when it comes to wildfires?
Aug 12, 2025
Rochelle Ellison, an advocate for the homeless in D.C., reveals the fears faced by the unhoused following Trump's policies that could force them out of their spaces. Christina Locke, a cancer survivor from Ontario, shares how she celebrated her birthday by covering parking fees for cancer patients, hoping to inspire compassion and change. The conversation also touches on Canada's severe wildfire season and the community spirit in places affected by flames, showcasing resilience amidst adversity.
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Stronger Federal Coordination Emerging
- Federal response coordination to wildfires is being enhanced with funding and interprovincial cooperation.
- Minister Eleanor Olszewski highlights strong provincial, territorial and U.S. firefighter cooperation during this season.
Debate Over Scope Of A New Agency
- The government is weighing a narrowly focused fire secretariat against a broader disaster resilience agency.
- Olszewski says options include wildfire-only coordination or an agency covering floods and other hazards.
Limits Of Emergency Response
- Climate change underlies extreme fire conditions and limits what emergency response can achieve.
- The minister stresses community resilience as a complement to mitigation and response efforts.