Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in British Columbia, where he has been meeting with local leaders, firefighters, and volunteers involved in the provincial wildfire response. His day began with a meeting at the Westbank First Nation’s government office, attended by key figures including the nation’s chief, Robert Louie, West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom, Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas, and Central Okanagan Regional District board chair Loyal Wooldridge. Trudeau, dressed casually in Levi’s jeans and a rolled-up sleeves shirt, introduced his daughter Ella to the leaders and engaged in discussions about the morale of residents and the status of firefighting efforts.
During a press conference following the meeting, Trudeau stressed the importance of rebuilding communities with fire safety as a top priority. He highlighted the difference between neighborhoods built with fire safety in mind and those constructed before such considerations. The Prime Minister mentioned ongoing discussions about improved forest management and expressed empathy for the fear experienced by British Columbians living in the wildfire-affected areas. He encouraged residents and communities to support firefighters in their critical work.
Later in the day, Trudeau was scheduled to deliver a speech at the Vancouver Convention Centre as part of the seventh assembly of the Global Environment Facility. The assembly brought together various stakeholders, including ministers, government officials, business leaders, environmentalists, and Indigenous Peoples, to discuss solutions for a healthy planet and population.
Trudeau’s visit to British Columbia comes in the wake of the provincial government’s declaration of a state of emergency due to the wildfire crisis. Speaking from Charlottetown, P.E.I., earlier in the week, the Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to assisting those affected by the wildfires. He mentioned the deployment of Canadian Armed Forces and the efforts of Service Canada in aiding displaced individuals. Trudeau expressed gratitude towards firefighters for their dedication and appreciation for those who have opened their communities and homes to evacuees.
As of the latest update, evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts in Kelowna, with two fires in the area now considered held. However, evacuation orders remain in effect for thousands of properties in West Kelowna, the Regional District of Central Okanagan, and Westbank First Nation. Additionally, numerous properties in the Okanagan area are still on evacuation alert. Recent wildfires have caused significant damage to nearly 200 properties in the region.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to supporting wildfire-affected communities and enhancing fire safety measures in the region.