Ottawa sending support from armed forces amid northern Ontario wildfire evacuations
A tour boat makes its way along the Rideau Canal as buildings are obscured with haze from wildfires burning in Canada's prairie provinces, in Ottawa, Friday, June 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The federal government is deploying members of the Canadian Armed Forces to help evacuate a northwestern Ontario First Nation as wildfires rapidly spread in the region, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday.
Carney said in a social media post that Ottawa has accepted Ontario's urgent request for assistance in and around Sandy Lake First Nation, and the military will help with emergency airlift evacuations.
'We're prepared to mobilize every resource needed to keep Canadians safe,' Carney wrote.
As of Sunday, the Ontario government said the Red Lake 12 wildfire, near Deer Lake First Nation, is out of control and more than 1,500 square kilometres in size. The fire is about six kilometres from the community of Sandy Lake First Nation, it said.
'Overnight growth was minimal, but the fire has been exhibiting high intensity activity this morning,' the Ministry of Natural Resources said.
Helicopters and fire ranger crews are continuing to suppress the fires and are focusing on structure protection, the ministry said, adding that minimal rain is forecasted in the next 24 hours.
The ministry said Sandy Lake First Nation is conducting a phase one evacuation of residents by air, and boats will be available if needed. The province said Deer Lake First Nation remains evacuated and is being protected by fire rangers.
It said the province's northwest region had 26 active fires as of Saturday night, seven of which were out of control.
Videos and photos on social media showed one fire approaching a construction site near Sandy Lake First Nation on Saturday, with multiple cargo containers catching on fire and crews reportedly escaping the blaze by sheltering in one of them.
Manitoba-based construction company Sigfusson Northern confirmed their crew was safely evacuated after they were working on a job site near the First Nation.
'Our crews showed an extreme level of professionalism and courage in the face of a rapidly changing situation,' the company said in a social media post.
Other provinces, including Manitoba and Saskatchewan, are also undergoing evacuation efforts in some areas due to wildfires.
The wildfires have prompted air quality alerts in Ontario. Environment Canada warned that smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in areas including Sioux Lookout, Summer Beaver and Ear Falls.
The weather agency added that some northeastern areas, including Timmins, Kapuskasing and Attawapiskat, are under a special air quality statement Sunday due to the smoke.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025.
The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
18 minutes ago
- CTV News
U of R professor found liable of defamation for calling a book ‘racist garbage'
Image is file of McLean reading her book. A University of Regina professor has been found liable for defamation after calling a book critical of the Neil Stonechild inquiry 'racist garbage.' The book's author, Candis McLean, filed the lawsuit eight years ago. Justice Neil Robertson issued his written decision on June 13 at the Regina Court of King's Bench. 'I'm absolutely thrilled to get this decision,' McLean said in an interview with CTV News. McLean's 2016 book, When Police Become Prey: The Cold, Hard Facts of Neil Stonechild's Freezing Death, challenged the findings of the inquiry into Stonechild's death. The inquiry concluded the 17-year-old from Saulteaux First Nation was taken into custody by two Saskatoon police officers on the night he froze to death in November 1990. The book claims to clear the names of the two officers who were fired from the Saskatoon Police Service as part of the broader 'Starlight Tours' scandal, where police were accused of dropping Indigenous people on the outskirts of the city in freezing temperatures. When McLean planned book signings in Saskatchewan, they were met with backlash from the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism. University of Regina professor Michelle Stewart was among those opposed, urging venues to cancel the signings. She also called the book 'racist garbage' on Facebook. In his ruling, Justice Robertson found Stewart made the post without reading the book. 'Having read the book, I do not find that it is racist,' he wrote. He added that while the comment targeted the book, the term 'racist' could reasonably be associated with its author. 'If a reasonable person believed that the book was racist, they might then believe that the author was as well,' Robertson said. He noted that 'racist' is a 'highly charged word' and should not be 'thrown around carelessly.' Stewart was also found liable for inducing a breach of contract by contacting venues and urging them to cancel McLean's events. McLean sought $165,642 in damages. The court awarded her $6,450, including $1,000 in general damages for defamation, $3,000 for inducing breach of contract, and $2,450 in actual damages related to the cancellations. She was not awarded any additional special, aggravated or punitive damages. McLean said while she's 'disappointed' with the amount, her lawyer reminded her they were fighting for 'the principle of free speech.' 'I'm hoping that the activists will now realize there are limits to their behavior,' she said. 'They deserve freedom of speech, but not to the point where it impinges on others.' CTV News reached out to Stewart and her lawyer but did not get a response by publication.
Cision Canada
29 minutes ago
- Cision Canada
House of Commons passes One Canadian Economy Act Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's new government has a mandate to build big, build bold, and build now. Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, welcomed the passing in the House of Commons of Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act. The legislation will build one strong Canadian economy by: Removing federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, helping goods, services, workers, and businesses move freely across provinces and territories. Expediting nation-building projects that will connect and transform our country and unleash economic growth while ensuring environmental protections and Indigenous rights are upheld. Working with Indigenous Peoples through consultation and engagement to build shared prosperity. Taken together, these measures will create and connect Canadians to good-paying careers and more prosperity. The Prime Minister shared an update on this work with the premiers of the provinces and territories during their meeting earlier today. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact as they reinforce Canada's strength at home. Indigenous partnership is a critical component of this legislation, and fulsome consultation will be pivotal to the success of future projects. The Government of Canada is committed to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the rights set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. To this end, Prime Minister Carney will be meeting with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis over the coming weeks. Bill C-5 now moves to the Senate for consideration and brings us one step closer to removing federal barriers to free trade by Canada Day. Quotes "Today's passing of Bill C-5, One Canadian Economy Act, will remove trade barriers, expedite nation-building projects, and unleash economic growth, with Indigenous partnership at the centre of this growth. It's time to build big, build bold, and build now. As Canadians, we can give ourselves more than any foreign nation can ever take away." — The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada "The adoption of Bill C-5 by the House of Commons is a crucial step in building one Canadian economy and getting big projects built faster. Thank you to colleagues who supported this legislation – you are helping build a stronger Canada." — The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy "This legislation is about building a stronger, more united Canada. Let's build trust, tear down internal trade barriers, and create one single economy – from coast to coast to coast. Together, we're building a stronger Canada, for everyone." — The Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade "I am pleased to see the One Canadian Economy Act achieve this milestone. This Act means we are no longer asking 'Why build?', but instead 'How do we get it done?'. We are removing barriers, leveraging Canada's resources and talented workers, centring Indigenous consultation and equity, and continuing to fight climate change – all to get building and to become an energy superpower. In the new economy we are building, Canada will be defined by delivery, not delay." — The Hon. Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Indigenous Peoples' voices are at the table where discussions are happening, and decisions are made. This government understands that Indigenous Peoples have the right to determine their future. As the first Indigenous Minister of Indigenous Services, I understand the importance of relationship moving forward – and I am pleased to see the Prime Minister has determined this as a priority and a critical part of the work ahead." — The Hon. Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services
CTV News
43 minutes ago
- CTV News
Liberals, Conservatives pass major projects legislation in House of Commons
Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Thursday, June 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle Conservative members of Parliament voted with the minority Liberal government to pass its marquee major projects legislation Friday evening, setting it up to become law before Canada Day. The legislation, also known as the one Canadian economy act, would allow the government to green-light a list of projects that have been deemed to be in the national interest, fast-tracking their approvals. The Liberals have called it the core of the government's domestic economic response to U.S. tariffs. 'This is what makes us different from the United States, this is what makes us more independent from the United States, this is what's going to move us forward,' Prime Minister Mark Carney said at a press conference after the vote, adding the legislation needed to pass quickly 'because we are in a crisis.' 'And if you don't think we're in a crisis, go to Sault Ste. Marie, go to Hamilton, go to Windsor.' After the second of two votes in the House of Commons on Friday, Carney crossed the floor to shake hands with Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer and Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Two votes were held instead of one after the House Speaker ruled that the legislation had two distinct parts without a clear common element. That allowed the Bloc Quebecois and NDP members to vote in favour of the first part of the bill -- which looks to tackle internal trade barriers -- and against the more controversial second part dealing with major projects. The major projects bill grants the government sweeping powers to quickly approve projects that are deemed to be in the national interest. Provincial and territorial premiers have given Carney lists of projects they want to see approved, but no national list of projects has been made public so far. 'We all agree that more fulsome conversations are needed to select the nation-building projects and to determine the conditions that they must fulfil. In other words, the real work begins now,' Carney said. The legislation has drawn criticism from Indigenous leaders and environmental groups who say it gives too much power to the federal cabinet to bypass existing laws. The legislation was introduced on June 6 and was pushed through the House after about eight hours of committee study on Tuesday and Wednesday. The House transport committee did amend the bill to, among other things, remove the Indian Act from a list of laws the government can sidestep when determining whether a project should move forward. First Nations leaders have warned the bill could violate their constitutionally protected rights and may lead to legal challenges. Carney emphasized the need to respect the constitutional rights of Indigenous Peoples in his press conference on Friday. 'The major projects office will have an Indigenous advisory council whose core function will be to honour Section 35 rights in the implementation of this bill,' he said. He promised to hold full-day summits with First Nations, Inuit and Metis rights-holders and leaders in the coming weeks, alongside Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty. 'Consultation, co-operation, engagement and participation are at the heart of this bill,' he said. The bill is now headed to the Senate, which is scheduled to sit until June 27. By Sarah Ritchie. With files from Kyle Duggan and Alessia Passafiume.
