Question Period Note: Wildland Fires

N.A.

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) acknowledge the impacts that wildfire events have on communities and extend my sympathies to those impacted this year.
• The 2025 wildfire season was Canada’s second worst on record, closely following behind the record breaking 2023 wildfire season.
• ISC recognizes the coordinated efforts of everyone who provided support. These response efforts highlight First Nations’ incredible resilience.
• Many First Nations are at high risk of experiencing the impacts of emergency events and ISC supports First Nations to build resiliency, prepare for all-hazards and respond to them.

Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP)
• ISC’s EMAP helps eligible communities access emergency assistance services. EMAP provides funding to First Nation communities to build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to emergencies using the four pillars of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery).
• 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. 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.
• ISC provides advance payments to eligible communities when responding to or recovering from emergencies, to ensure communities have the financial flexibility to effectively deal with emergencies, including wildfires.
• Canada’s wildland fire season, which has been linked to climate change, is lasting longer with more frequent and intense events. First Nations communities are particularly vulnerable, with 80% of First Nations communities being located in areas prone to wildland fire.
• Between April 1 and August 20, 2025, 119 wildfire events affected 95 First Nations communities, forcing evacuations and displacing over 44,852 people from 60 communities.
• Working with provincial partners, ISC funds the FireSmart program, which builds skills in First Nations communities to prevent and prepare for wildfires.

If pressed on communities impacted by wildfires
• ISC extends sympathies to all affected by wildfires.
• In particular, our thoughts are with those in various communities who evacuated due to wildfires, those who have lost homes, and those who experienced the displacement of their families.
• ISC will continue to work with affected First Nations to support First Nations’ preparedness, response, and recovery from natural disaster emergency events in alignment with their needs and priorities. If pressed on Manitoba wildfires
• ISC extends deepest sympathies to those experienced the impacts of the wildfire events in Manitoba, which experienced its worst wildfire season on record in the past 30 years.
• When an emergency event occurs, ISC reimburses 100 percent of eligible response and recovery costs for First Nations who have been affected.
• Through the development of multilateral emergency management service agreements, ISC is working closely with the Canadian Red Cross, the Province of Manitoba and First Nations communities to improve emergency management service delivery for First Nations in Manitoba. If pressed on the 2025 Auditor General Follow-up Report on Programs for First Nations
• Since the 2022 audit, ISC Canada has implemented measures to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and accountability in emergency management.
• ISC is working with First Nations, provinces, territories and other partners to enhance emergency management for First Nations communities in areas such as multilateral emergency management service agreements, community preparedness and capacity and mitigation initiatives.
• First Nations communities across the country can be assured that measures are in place to support their communities in the event of an emergency. If pressed on preparations and budget supports for 2026 wildfire season
• ISC works with First Nations to prepare for wildfire season each year. ISC invests $42 million annually into capacity, mitigation, preparedness, and FireSmart projects in First Nations communities to reduce the impacts of emergency events.
• This figure includes $12.98 million to support over 300 Emergency Management Coordinator positions in First Nations communities, Tribal Councils, and other organizations.
• In 2023, the Government of Canada announced $166 million over five years in new funding to support First Nations in developing greater climate resiliency and reduce emergency risk. If pressed on ISC’s approach to supporting emergency management on reserve
• The health and safety of all First Nations community members is our top priority.
• As our climate continues to change, the Government is committed to helping First Nations build skills and capacity to prevent and prepare for wildfires.
• When an emergency event occurs, ISC reimburses 100 percent of eligible response and recovery costs for First Nations who have been affected. Further, ISC supports the restoration of communities and assets in a manner that reduces future vulnerability and strengthens resilience. If pressed on available supports to First Nations evacuees
• ISC recognizes that displacement from home is deeply challenging; ISC ensures emergency supports are available to all on-reserve residents, to help evacuees feel safe, supported, and connected during a difficult time.

• These supports include accommodations, food, transportation, health and mental wellness services, incidentals, child-friendly spaces, and culturally relevant supports.

• To ensure equity, ISC’s Emergency Management Assistance Program aligns with provincial and territorial standards so that eligible First Nations evacuees have access to services comparable to those offered to off-reserve residents. If pressed on safety of Indigenous women and girls
• The safety of all evacuees during a wildfire evacuation is a priority, and we are committed to working with communities and other partners to understand how to better support those who face greater risks, including Indigenous women and girls.
• Guided by the findings of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls, emergency evacuations are informed by intersectional considerations around safety and wellness, and are guided by the needs of communities.
• When an emergency occurs, we will work with communities and emergency management partners to support the wellness and safety of all community members, and take steps to mitigate risks and holistically and equitably support evacuees.