Saskatchewan Senator pushes for a national emergency response agency to fight wildfires

Under Canada’s current system, provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction over emergency responses, but as out-of-control wildfires continue to burn, some are pushing again for a national FEMA-like agency to lead the response.

Wildfires burning across the country, including in Manitoba, pictured, have experts and governments looking to solutions to improve future wildfire responses. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Manitoba

News

BY ELEANOR WAND

June 26, 2025

An early start to wildfire season has some renewing calls for a national emergency response agency, but governments and experts aren't all on the same page. While Independent Saskatchewan Senator David Arnot recently argued an agency “makes common sense,” Alberta is not ...

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