Emergency debate on wildfires set for Tuesday after Winnipeg MP Gazan makes request

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This article was published 02/06/2025 (450 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An emergency debate on wildfires in Manitoba and elsewhere is set for Tuesday after a Winnipeg MP wrote to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Leah Gazan, who represents Winnipeg Centre, shared a letter with media organizations that she sent to Francis Scarpaleggia on Monday morning.

“Both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have declared states of emergency for the next month and are now appealing for international assistance to contain the fires. Despite the heroic efforts of front-line workers — firefighters, nurses, doctors and volunteers — the response system has proven inadequate in addressing the urgent needs of evacuees, particularly in Indigenous communities,” the NDP MP wrote.

“This is not the first time First Nations have been left behind during climate emergencies. The federal government has repeatedly failed to ensure that remote and northern communities have access to reliable emergency preparedness infrastructure and evacuation support.”

Gazan later said her request had been granted.