OTTAWA—Wildfire season is once again driving headlines and dominating public discourse. From Ontario to the British Columbia Interior, fires have destroyed public and private property, disrupting livelihoods and eliminating access to community infrastructure. 

Extreme weather events are no longer an anomaly on the summer calendar. In 2021, the world watched with horror as the Village of Lytton, B.C., was engulfed in flames in just a few hours after temperatures reached a record high of 49.6 C—taking two lives and levelling the town. Excluding the costs of evacuation and firefighting, provincial, federal, and insurance costs are estimated to be more than $200-million to support debris removal and the rebuilding process. 

The village is still working to rebuild, and many residents remain displaced years later. Just last month, Lytton was again placed under an evacuation warning due to the threat of nearby fires. While the notice was later rescinded, it is a reminder of how precarious life is in certain parts of the country. 

Due to the nature of Canada’s urban boundaries, the largest metropolitan cities tend to find themselves geographically........

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