Prime Minister Convenes Emergency Response Team Amid Escalating Wildfires in Manitoba and Ontario
Federal government mobilizes support for Indigenous communities and affected regions as evacuations continue
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney convened Canada’s Incident Response Group this week as wildfires continue to surge across parts of Manitoba and Ontario, prompting evacuations and federal intervention.
The high-level meeting, held on July 15 in Ottawa, brought together ministers and senior officials to coordinate the federal response to one of the country’s most pressing climate emergencies this season. With hundreds of active fires and dense smoke impacting air quality across multiple provinces, Manitoba has been one of the hardest-hit regions, triggering urgent assistance requests to Ottawa.
Canadian Forces Airlift More Than 1,500 Residents
Among the most affected communities is Garden Hill First Nation, where more than 1,500 residents have been airlifted out of danger with help from the Canadian Armed Forces. The evacuations come in response to a formal Request for Federal Assistance from the Province of Manitoba, which includes support for emergency sheltering, logistics, and critical supplies.
The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring all affected communities—particularly Indigenous ones—receive the resources they need.
Coordination with Provinces and Indigenous Leaders
Carney and federal officials continue to work closely with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and First Nations leadership to support ongoing operations. The federal response now includes involvement from seven departments and agencies.
“The Government of Canada is deploying every necessary resource to protect Canadians,” a senior official said during the closed-door discussions. “Our focus is on saving lives, supporting evacuations, and restoring safety to fire-affected communities.”
International Firefighting Support Acknowledged
Canada has also received support from international partners, including the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Australia. The Prime Minister extended his thanks to global allies contributing firefighters and expertise to the national wildfire response.
Additionally, the Prime Minister publicly thanked frontline first responders, Armed Forces members, and local officials who have been working around the clock in evacuation zones.
Ongoing Readiness as Situation Evolves
While immediate response efforts are underway, the federal government remains on high alert and ready to expand its mobilization if needed. Residents across Canada are encouraged to review emergency preparedness resources provided by the Government of Canada, available at getprepared.gc.ca and Public Safety Canada.
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