July 6, 2026 — A senate committee is calling on the federal government to create a national wildfire co-ordination office, build a modern fire-fighting aircraft fleet and increase long-term funding for prevention, response and recovery as Canada faces increasingly severe wildfire seasons.

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry released the recommendations last month in a report on the effects of wildfires on forestry, agriculture, rural and Indigenous communities.

The committee said it found Canada’s wildfire response is hampered by divided responsibilities across governments.

Provinces and territories manage suppression, while federal departments provide emergency co-ordination, scientific advice and funding. Municipalities and Indigenous communities often face limited resources, equipment and training.

The committee said those co- ordination problems contribute to inconsistent planning, delayed response times, uneven access to equipment and personnel and a system that often mobilizes only after a disaster is already underway.

The committee made 15 recommendations, including calls for the federal government to designate forests as a strategic national asset, create a national wildfire hazard mapping program, support Indigenous-led fire management and add adaptation and resilience measures to the 2030 National Building Code of Canada.

The health effects of wildfire smoke are also a growing national concern, with higher risks for children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic conditions and remote Indigenous communities.

Indigenous communities also remain at heightened risk because many are located in remote or forested areas and continue to face gaps in infrastructure, equipment, training and emergency supports.

The committee called for more funding for Indigenous-led fire management and the integration of traditional Indigenous knowledge into wildfire preparation and response. It also warned that wildfires are causing major losses in the forestry and agriculture sectors.

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