QUEEN’S PARK – Guelph MPP Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to worsening wildfires and air quality across the province:
“Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes and communities. Highways across the Northwest are shut down. In southern Ontario, people are experiencing some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke.
This government can no longer ignore the very real and dangerous impacts of the climate crisis.
Wildland firefighters are working hard to get these fires under control and keep people safe. It’s time for this government to step up and do its part.
Instead, the government continues to underfund emergency firefighting budgets and invest in fossil fuels that are making these severe weather events worse.
It’s time for the government to stop wasting money on hotels and private jets and start investing in the things our communities need: starting with a forest fire management and wildfire prevention program to keep our communities safe.”