Question Period Note: ALBERTA WILDFIRES

Wildfires continue to affect Canadians especially in Alberta, British Columbia, the Territories and most recently near Halifax Nova Scotia. ESDC/Service Canada has implemented several measures to support impacted Canadians and contribute to the overall Government of Canada response to a Request for Assistance issued by the Government of Alberta.

My thoughts are with all Canadians who have been affected by wildfires across the country. The Federal Government is here to support you through these difficult times.

Service Canada continues to deliver and prioritize applications for income support including OAS, GIS, CPP and Employment Insurance for those affected.

Outreach and service centres have been setup near impacted communities to maintain services including replacing lost documents.

The Government is working directly with provincial, territorial and First Nations partners and communities to provide as much support as possible.

The yearly wildfire season has begun once again. Wildfires and other natural disasters affect all Canadians. From evacuations and loss of property/life, to impacts on transportation, supply lines, the economy, and the environment. ESDC support measures are but one facet of the Government of Canada’s larger emergency response strategy for managing and responding to wildfires and other natural disasters.

The Government of Canada received a Request for Assistance from Alberta which has now been extended for an additional week in which the government was specifically requested to provide “Flexibility and exceptions (where applicable) for Albertans receiving employment insurance; as well as rapid enrolment for those being evacuated, or businesses closed, because of the wildfires.”

Over the weekend and into Monday morning a wildfire 25kms from Halifax has forced the evacuation of thousand of homes. Schools remain closed and a state of emergency declared.

As of May 25, 2023 an estimated 14,000 Canadians have been evacuated due to wildfires across Canada including several First Nations communities.

The most severe impact is currently being felt in Western Canada, the Territories, Prairies and Nova Scotia.

ESDC has put in place several response measures to support Canadians affected by wildfires. Including:

Prioritizing income support and applications for Employment insurance;

Expediting payment via direct deposit; and,

Helping Canadians replace lost documents.

ESDC is ready to expand these support measures across Canada should wildfires begin to affect other regions.

Applications for Employment Insurance (EI) can be submitted without a record of employment (ROE). Interim ROEs will be created for affected clients.

The Government is using geotargeted social media and postal codes to focus support on impacted communities and displaced Canadians.

The Government is facilitating enrolment for Direct Deposit so Canadians can receive their benefit payments more quickly.

Nova Scotia continues to respond to the fire.

Schools remain closed and a state of emergency has been declared.

No Service Canada locations have been affected and federal services continue to be offered at Service Canada locations.

Number of Canadians Impacted/Supported)
As of May 25, 2023 an estimated 14,000 Canadians remain evacuated due to wildfires across Canada including at least 2 First Nations communities.

Evacuated by province: AB 6,852; SK 3,715; BC 33; NT 3,500.  

As of May 26, EI has received a total of 609 applications related to wildfires.

As of 26 May, there are approximately 635 pension clients in the affected areas.

Service Canada has reached out to impacted local communities and community organizations, including Indigenous communities, to provide information about available services, where to access service, and to provide contact information.

Temporary Foreign Workers)
Service Canada is actively conducting wellness checks on Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) by contacting and verifying well being with employers.

68 employers have been contacted as of 25 May.

ESDC is presently monitoring the situation for 108 employers.

Floods)
The Government continues to monitor flood activity across the Country and offer similar supports when required.
Quotes by key stakeholders