NDP statement for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

NDP Emergency Preparedness critic Richard Cannings (South Okanagan-West Kootenay) made the following statement:

“On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, New Democrats renew our commitment to creating a safer and more resilient future for Canada.

We are living in times of increased risk of natural disasters. People across Canada had to abandon their homes to escape wildfires. Hurricanes and tropical storms battered Atlantic Canada, caused deadly floods and left Canadians stranded and isolated.

I believe all Canadians should feel safe in their homes and in their communities. That is why we need a government who will spend more for emergency preparedness, not less. The Liberals are falling behind their promises and have failed to train even a single community-based firefighter in five provinces. While Canadians are losing their homes and lives to natural disasters, both the Liberals and the Conservatives continue to refuse the NDP’s call for a national wildfire fighting taskforce.

Canadians deserve a government who understands the importance of emergency preparedness.

From coast-to-coast-to-coast, Canada is a beautiful country, and we owe it to our future generations to do all we can to keep it safe from disaster.”