Amid raging wildfires, Schreiner calls on Ford to address environmental injustice and climate emergency

July 15, 2021

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding the wildfires and evacuations of First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario:

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement regarding the wildfires and evacuations of First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario:

“Forest fires are raging across northwestern Ontario and forcing First Nations communities to evacuate, but this government continues its anti-climate agenda.

As the climate emergency worsens, severe weather events like forest fires will become more severe and frequent – disproportionately impacting those in more marginalized situations the most, including First Nations communities.

I’m glad the government finally responded to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s call for a declaration of emergency, but more support is needed.

First Nations communities should not have to compete for limited resources and space to evacuate from wildfires that are being made increasingly more severe and frequent by this government’s inaction on the climate crisis.

This is a matter of environmental injustice. This is environmental racism.

Doug Ford needs to wake up to the reality of the climate emergency.

That means immediately stopping all plans to increase climate pollution, and urgently bringing forward a plan of action that meets our climate obligations.”

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