Pursuant to notice of April 10, 2024, moved:

That the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry be authorized to examine and report on the growing issue of wildfires in Canada and the consequential effects that wildfires have on forestry and agriculture industries, as well as rural and Indigenous communities, throughout the country;

That in particular, the committee should examine:

(a)the current status of wildfires in Canada;

(b)the impact of wildfires on forestry, agriculture, water systems, air quality, food security, and biosecurity;

(c)the possible federal measures that are in place, or should be in place, to adequately monitor and organize a response to wildfires;

(d)the potential areas of improvement of these federal measures for addressing wildfires; and

(e)international best practices as they relate to responding to wildfires;

That the committee report to the Senate no later than December 31, 2025, and that the committee retain all powers necessary to publicize its findings for 180 days after the tabling of the final report; and

That the committee be permitted, notwithstanding usual practices, to deposit reports on this study with the Clerk of the Senate if the Senate is not then sitting, and that the reports be deemed to have been tabled in the Senate.

He said: Honourable senators, I’m honoured to request the study, on behalf of the Agriculture and Forestry Committee, to examine and report on the growing issue of wildfires in Canada and the consequential effects that they have on forestry and agriculture industries, as well as rural and Indigenous communities, throughout this country.

Colleagues, this is a great opportunity that we should seize. As we know, wildfires have become more and more prominent across this country. According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre National Fire Summary, 6,623 fires were recorded nationally in 2023, burning a total of 18,401,197 hectares across the country. These wildfires not only threaten natural resources but also pose significant challenges for our health — as was previously noted earlier today — for rural communities, for Indigenous peoples and for wildlife habitats.

This study is not one that is controversial. In fact, we have already been contacted by the Forest Products Association of Canada, among other industry members who look forward to being a part of this study.

I look forward to your support and collaboration in addressing these critical issues facing our nation through a study with the Agriculture and Forestry Committee.

Thank you.