Question Period Note: Operation LENTUS

What action is this Government taking to protect Canadians against wildfires and other disasters?

• Under Operation LENTUS, the Canadian Armed Forces has members ready to deploy across Canada on short notice when called upon by civilian authorities.
• This includes leveraging the skills and talents of our Reserve Force members and the Canadian Rangers.
• In fact, this summer, as wildfires have put communities across the country at risk, our members have answered the call.
• National Defence has assisted in the evacuation of over 6,788 people across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.
• This effort encompassed the deployment of a total of 34 military aircraft from 12 bases and wings.
• Ultimately, and when called upon, the Canadian Armed Forces stand ready to serve the people of Canada whenever and wherever they are needed.

Process for Requests for Assistance

• A province or territory formally requests support from the federal government in their emergency response efforts through a request for federal assistance (RFA), which outlines the additional resources the jurisdiction needs for an effective response.
• Public Safety Canada, through the Government Operations Centre, coordinates the federal response to RFAs, which can include employment of the CAF when appropriate and as a force of last resort.

Op LENTUS 25

25-01 – Puvirnituq, Quebec

• On May 20, 2025, the Minister of National Defence approved an RFA from the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience to support to the remote Inuit community of Puvirnituq, Quebec, where a damaged pipe disrupted access to safe drinking water.
• From May 20 to June 4, in support of provincial and local authorities, Canadian Rangers assisted with the transportation and distribution of drinking water and other essential supplies to help ease the burden on the community. They provided logistical support, including assistance with setting up and staffing community service centres.

25-02 – Northern Manitoba Wildfires

• On May 28, 2025, the Minister of National Defence approved an RFA from the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience seeking immediate support to the communities of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and Mathias Colombe First Nation, Manitoba, to help evacuate residents of these communities due to a rapidly developing wildfire.
• 3755 residents were evacuated by the CAF.
• CAF aircraft supporting the evacuations came from across the country and various units (Gagetown, Valcartier, St-Hubert, Edmonton, Petawawa, Trenton, Winnipeg, Portage, Cold Lake and Yellowknife).
• CAF aircraft supporting the evacuation efforts consisted of 4 x CC130 Hercules, 2 x CC138 Twin Otters, 3 x CH147 Chinooks and 9 x CH146 Griffons.
• Due to fluctuating personnel numbers throughout the operation, we cannot provide a specific number of deployed personnel. At the height of activities, more than 105 CAF members were deployed in direct support of Op LENTUS 25-02.

25-03 – Northern Ontario Wildfires

• On 7 June 2025, the Minister of National Defence received an RFA from Public Safety Canada. This followed an urgent request from the Province of Ontario for the CAF to support the evacuation of residents from the remote community of Sandy Lake First Nation.
• From June 7 to June 10, the CAF provided airlift as well as liaison and coordination personnel to support the evacuation of Sandy Lake First Nation.
• CAF aircraft supporting the evacuation efforts consisted of five CC-130H Hercules.
• Over four days, more than 1,458 people were evacuated, with over 57 deployed CAF members supporting this effort at the height of activities.

25-04 – Eastern Manitoba Wildfires

• On July 9, 2025, the Minister of National Defence, upon the advice of the Chief of the Defence Staff, approved an RFA from the Province of Manitoba to support wildfire evacuation operations in Eastern Manitoba.
• The CAF provided airlift and logistics support to assist in the evacuation of residents from Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba. Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft departed Winnipeg to conduct air evacuations.
• More than 1,575 people were evacuated, with over 61 deployed CAF members and four CC130 Hercules supporting this effort at the height of activities.

25-05 – Saskatchewan Wildfires

• On July 23, 2025, the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience received and approved an RFA from the Province of Saskatchewan to support wildfire operations in the province.
• Through this operation, the CAF augmented the Province of Saskatchewan’s wildfire efforts by providing personnel to perform Type 3 firefighting duties and rotary wing support.
• Type 3 crews are used in a mop-up situation to completely extinguish a wildland fire or part of a wildland fire that has been fully contained.
• Approximately 700 CAF personnel supported this operation, and the CAF deployed three CH146 Griffon Helicopters to support the movement of the province’s Type 1 and Type 2 firefighters (more advanced and trained firefighters).

25-06 – Newfoundland and Labrador Wildfires

• On August 6, 2025, the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience received and approved an RFA from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador to support wildfire operations in the province.
• To date, the CAF has deployed 85 personnel on this operation to augment provincial wildfire efforts with reconnaissance, Type 3 firefighting, transportation, logistic, and planning support.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)

Quick facts

Operation LENTUS

• Operation LENTUS is the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) response to natural disasters in Canada. This operation follows an established plan of action to support communities in crisis. This plan can be adapted to multiple situations, such as forest fires, floods, ice storms, or hurricanes.
• Per the Federal Emergency Response Plan, the Canadian Armed Forces provide assistance when a province or territory requests federal support to deal with an emergency and their own capacity to respond has been exceeded.
• Based on the request for assistance, the CAF determines how many members to send, as well as the types of assets required. In recent years, this has been anywhere from 7 to 2,600 members.
• The objectives of Operation LENTUS are to:
  • help provincial and territorial authorities;
  • respond quickly and effectively to the crisis; and
  • stabilize the natural disaster situation.