The federal government says Canada will have a new national aerial firefighting fleet available starting this wildfire season.

Officials announced that 10 new firefighting aircraft and two support assets can now be deployed through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre to help provinces and territories respond during periods of intense wildfire activity.

The fleet includes four air tankers, one birddog aircraft, and five heavy-lift helicopters, aimed at boosting Canada’s ability to respond quickly when wildfire activity spikes.

The federal government says it’s investing more than $316 million over five years to establish the new national aerial firefighting surge capacity.

The aircraft have been secured through contracts with Canadian companies, including Vancouver Island-based VIH Helicopters.

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns says the announcement is an important and overdue step after years of pressure from wildfire experts, firefighters, affected communities, and the NDP.

Johns says Canadians are facing longer, hotter, and more destructive wildfire seasons, and says today’s announcement shows sustained public pressure can lead to action.

He also welcomed the inclusion of Vancouver Island-based VIH Helicopters in the new national fleet, saying British Columbians know the expertise exists here on the Island, and that Canadian workers and companies are ready to help protect communities from climate-related disasters.

However, Johns says more can be done.

He says Canada still needs a long-term strategy to build a permanent domestic firefighting fleet, including working with Canadian companies to retrofit retired aircraft into next generation airtankers.

He adds governments cannot separate wildfire preparedness from the climate crisis, saying stronger action is needed both to improve emergency response and reduce the emissions driving more severe wildfire seasons.

To learn more, visit Government of Canada.