Climate change is resulting in more extreme and more frequent natural disasters in Canada, says B.C. Premier Christy Clark -- one of a number of Western Canada leaders calling on Ottawa to reverse historic cuts to disaster mitigation funding.
The call comes as wildfires wreak havoc on the west and tens of thousands of Alberta residents have been forced to flee their homes.
"I'm a firm believer climate change is hastening this change," "Everything is tinder dry, snow packs are low, we're not getting as much rain around the province and moisture around the province or the continent, and so were seeing a lot more fires."
And although the frequency of disasters such as floods and wildfires appears to be increasing, Clark said federal funding has remained static in recent years.
"I think western premiers would make a very passionate argument that we all, including the federal government, need to be at the table with more funding to find ways to prevent or at least mitigate these disasters," Clark said.
She added that the disaster goes beyond simply the cost of cleanup, noting that timber resources are being depleted by the fires and oil infrastructure is being threatened -- factors that can reverberate into the province's economic future.
Clark is one of the leaders attending the annual Western Premiers' Conference, which is currently underway in Vancouver. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley bowed out of the gathering early to deal with the wildfires in her province, including the massive blaze that has destroyed much of Fort McMurray this week.
The premiers of B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the three territories are taking part in the meetings.
In a statement, the leaders said the federal government's $200-million, five-year commitment to the National Disaster Mitigation Program falls short.
Clark said it's not just about the need for funding in the wake of a natural disaster, but said the provinces and the federal government need to do more to prevent such events from occurring in the first place. She mentioned the need for a national database or fire inventory and improved predictive mapping strategies to prepare ahead of time in fire-prone areas.
"There's a whole bunch of things that as Canadians we can do that will limit the devastation of natural disasters and we don't do it enough now, and it costs money, but I think it's money well spent because every dollar you spend preventing a fire is probably $1,000 you don't spend cleaning up the fire," Clark said.
The premiers were expected to also discuss the economy, including the renewal of the softwood lumber deal with the U.S.
Clark said she is seeking a managed trade agreement with no quotas on softwood shipments crossing the border.
Clark also mentioned free trade, whether within Canada or internationally, and efforts to bring Manitoba into the New West Partnership trade deal, as priorities going forward.
The premiers also issued a statement expressing their support for Fort McMurray and other northern communities affected by the fires in Alberta.
