Ford ‘won’t spare a penny’ to fight wildfires

Premier refusing to declare state of emergency despite calls from local officials to enact measure

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Wednesday he “won’t spare a penny” to help fight the northern wildfires and support evacuees, but he isn’t declaring a state of emergency.

Ford visited the wildfire command centre in Thunder Bay and met with evacuees and community leaders. He thanked the hundreds of firefighters, as well as other provinces and jurisdictions such as Wisconsin and Mexico, who have sent resources to help.

Both the size and number of wildfires burning across northern Ontario are substantially higher than in an average year, and the blazes have forced more than 3,000 people from their homes on several First Nations. Thousands more may have to be displaced.

First Nation leaders have called on Ontario to declare a state of emergency over the situation, but Ford suggested doing so wouldn’t provide additional help.

“I think there’s a little confusion (over) what a state of emergency is,” he said. “It’s not going to add any more resources.”

Ford said he believes in working in collaboration with First Nations and municipalities.

“The only difference (with a state of emergency) is the province will come in and say, ‘You can’t go down this road,’ ” Ford said. “There’s already emergency orders put in place, so it’s not holding back any resources. We’ll put all the resources we have. I won’t spare a penny.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said that a state of emergency would eliminate barriers and give the province the authority to access more accommodations, resources and supports, such as access to health-care and mental-health services for evacuees while they are away from home.

In his daily calls with senior provincial and federal officials, they say they don’t have the manpower or equipment to fight the fires, Fiddler said.