Question Period Note: Wildland Fires

• This unprecedented wildfire season is one which will never be
forgotten. Ensuring that First Nations communities receive the
supports they require now and into the future is our top priority.
• This is a joint effort and the government recognizes the
leadership of First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and all
partners who are going to extreme lengths to ensure that people
are safe and that communities have what they need.
• With support of First Nations-led organizations and through the
Emergency Management Assistance Program, ISC will continue
to support communities in preparing for, and recovering from,
wildfire events with increased resiliency.

Reports of the Government of Canada receiving multiple audits advising them to help First
Nations before wildfires hit: Article Linked Here
Emergency Management Assistance Program
ISC’s Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) helps eligible communities access
emergency assistance services. EMAP provides funding to First Nation communities so they
can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to emergencies using the four
pillars of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery).
ISC works with provincial and territorial governments to ensure First Nation communities have
access to comparable emergency assistance services available to other residents in their
respective jurisdictions.
Provinces and territories are responsible for emergency management within their areas of
jurisdiction and therefore, have the expertise and capacity to deliver services on behalf of ISC.
To ensure that First Nation communities have the assistance they need within the broader
provincial or territorial emergency management system, ISC is in regular contact with provincial
and territorial emergency management officials.
Working with provincial partners, ISC funds the FireSmart program, which builds skills in First
Nation communities to prevent and prepare against wildland fires. Programing involves training
First Nations teams in wildfire suppression duties, as well as fuel management and vegetation
clearing, which reduces the intensity and spread of wildfires.
Canada’s wildland fire season, which has been linked to climate change, is lasting longer with
more frequent and intense events. First Nation communities are particularly vulnerable to these
increasing events, with 80% of First Nation communities being located in areas prone to
wildland fire.

If pressed on reports of the Government of Canada receiving
multiple audits advising them to help First Nations before
wildfires hit

• ISC continues to works with First Nations, ensuring that they are
prepared for future wildfires.
• In response to the Auditor General Report on ISC’s role in
emergency management, ISC developed a Management
Response Action Plan to address all of the recommendations in
the report. ISC continues to work with First Nations to
implement the plan and its recommendations to advance
mitigation and preparedness priorities.
• As our climate changes, we are committed to improving
emergency services. Our Emergency Management Assistance
Program provides funding to First Nations so they can build
resiliency and advance FireSmart activities including fire
prevention and preparedness capacity building

If pressed on Emergency Management Assistance Program
• The health and safety of all First Nations community members
are our top priority.
• When an emergency event happens, under the Emergency
Management Assistance Program, ISC reimburses First Nations
covered by the Program, as well as host communities, 100
percent of eligible response and recovery costs.
• As our climate continues to change, the government is
committed to supporting First Nations prepare for emergency
events.
• Through FireSmart and the Emergency Management Assistance
Program, ISC continues to work with communities to build skills
to prevent and prepare for wildfires.

If pressed on additional emergency management resources in
First Nation Communities

• This summer saw an unprecedented wildfire season. As we
continue to battle existing fires, and recover from extinguished
ones, ensuring First Nations have the proper training and
resources is an ISC priority.
• ISC will continue to work closely with First Nation communities
to deliver its FireSmart program, and to provide funding and
supports to help protect community members and infrastructure.
• As wildfires continue to burn, Emergency Management
Assistance Program will continue to cover all recovery-related
eligible expenses, including the replacement of homes, roads
and other infrastructure.

If pressed on recovery initiatives
• The realities of climate change means that wildfires are more
frequent and severe, and we know First Nations remain on the
front lines. The Government of Canada remains in contact with
Chiefs, Councils and First Responders to provide all the support
each community needs to be safe, and build back better.
• Our Emergency Management Assistance Program reimburses
recovery activities following emergencies, including wildfires,
helping the community recover in a timely and resilient way.
• ISC will continue to support the restoration of communities and
assets in a manner that reduces future vulnerability and
strengthens resilience.

If pressed on the Northwest Territories
• Ensuring that First Nations receive the supports they require is
our top priority. Indigenous leadership and organizations, as
well as federal and territorial partners, are going to great lengths
to ensure that people are safe and that communities have what
they need.
• As of November 17, 2023, over $2.2 million in ISC supports has
been provided to First Nations impacted by wildfires in the
Northwest Territories, including $500,000 in Emergency
Management Assistance Program funding to K’atl’odeeche First
Nation
• Our government continues to communicate with affected and atrisk
First Nation communities, as well as provincial and
territorial partners, so that supports are in place, including on
mental health, cultural supports, and assistance to Indigenous
organizations and service providers.

If Pressed on BC
• Ensuring that First Nations receive the supports they require is
our top priority. This is a joint effort – and the government
recognizes the leadership of First Nations and Indigenous
organizations, as well as federal and provincial partners who are
going to great lengths to ensure that people are safe and
communities have what they need.
• ISC is in regular contact with First Nation leadership, the First
Nations Emergency Services Society, the province, and other
partners so that the needs of communities are addressed in a
timely fashion.
• Under the Emergency Management Assistance Program, ISC
reimburses First Nations as well as host communities 100
percent of eligible response and recovery costs.
• We will be there to support the recovery efforts of communities
in a way that reduces future vulnerability and strengthens
resilience.

If pressed on Kátł’odeeche First Nation recovery:
• Indigenous Services Canada is working closely with
Kátł’odeeche First Nation to discuss short-term and long-term
actions needed to support recovery.
• redacted information
• The community is currently assessing damages and developing
a plan for rebuilding with ISC support. Officials are helping the
Nation’s leadership ensure that extended evacuee services meet
the needs of residents whose homes were lost until they can
return.
• In addition to housing and infrastructure supports, ISC has
provided mental health and wellness supports.
• We acknowledge the resilience of leadership and members
during these difficult times and appreciate our strong
partnership.

If pressed on Elephant Hill recovery
• We continue to work with the First Nations communities who
were affected by the Elephant Hill wildfires, throughout
Secwepemculecw - the traditional and unceded territory of the
Secwépemc Nation, in recovering, and rebuilding their
communities.
• While we continue to focus our efforts on rebuilding community
infrastructure, and ensuring its safety from all future emergency
events, we are also focusing on the lost value of culture, wellbeing
and education services.
• We will continue to work with First Nations leadership, to ensure
they have the resources needed to rebuild their communities in
a manner that safeguards them from future emergencies.