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Canada News.Net
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Canada must take action to prevent climate-related migration
As wildfire season begins, the destructive impacts of climate change are being felt across Canada. Several communities in northern Saskatchewan have been issued evacuation orders due to wildfires. In Manitoba, Pimicikamak Cree Nation worked to evacuate hundreds of people as wildfires closed in, while smoke from those fires caused air-quality issues across the country. It isn't just wildfires threatening people's homes and livelihoods. In May, 1,600 residents from the Kashechewan Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario evacuated again due to flooding of the Albany River, which happens almost every year. The 2018 United Nations Climate Conference called on all states to adopt "laws, policies and strategies" meant "to avert, minimize and address displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change." The figures are disquieting. By 2050, more than 140 million people could become internal climate migrants in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America alone, especially if action towards reaching net-zero carbon emissions continues to be insufficient. Canada is not spared: 192,000 people were evacuated in 2023 due to disasters made more severe by climate change, including floods and wildfires. As climate change leads to more extreme weather, temporary climate displacement could become permanent migration. The World Bank defines internal climate migration as having to relocate for at least a decade to a location 14 kilometres or more away from your community because of climate impacts. Research I presented at the 2025 Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies Conference at Toronto Metropolitan University analyzed how Canada addresses the climate migration challenge in its submissions under the Paris Agreement, which requires parties to adapt to climate change. The Canadian government understated the reality of internal climate migration in its submissions under the 2015 Paris Agreement, which obscure the gravity of this phenomenon. One of those submissions is the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the cornerstone report each state party must present every five years. Canada's NDC from 2021 recognizes that climate change harms certain populations more than others, but does not address temporary displacement, let alone internal climate migration. The Fort McMurray wildfires displaced more than 80,000 people in 2016, with its population declining 11 per cent between 2015 and 2018. Similarly, the 2019 Quebec spring floods displaced more than 10,000 people and, in Sainte-Marie, hundreds of low-income families abandoned the city because they could not afford the reconstructed homes. A clear definition of internal climate migrants in Canada, robust data and better co-ordination among Indigenous, municipal, provincial and federal governments is needed. This is something a National Adaptation Act could deliver, as a part of a comprehensive framework to bolster adaptation action across the country. Canada submitted an adaptation communication in 2024. The communication discusses climate impacts but mentions internal displacement only once. It contains no data or discussion of when displacement becomes permanent, nor does it focus on the disproportionate impact on equity-deserving groups. The government submitted an updated NDC earlier this year. It noted "the devastating impact of wildfires, floods, drought and melting permafrost on communities across the country" but only briefly discusses adaptation, referring instead to the 2023 National Adaptation Strategy. The only mentions of displacement come in appended submissions by Indigenous Peoples, including Trondk Hwchin First Nation and Makivvik. Indigenous Peoples suffer from flawed adaptation policies and institutional barriers that prevent them from effectively responding to emergencies. As a result, First Nations evacuate 328 times more frequently than settler communities during climate disasters. In 2011, for example, officials in Manitoba diverted flood waters to Lake St. Martin to protect urban, cottage and agricultural properties. In the process, they flooded 17 First Nations and displaced 4,525 people. Return of the 1,400 residents of the Lake St. Martin First Nation to a new location only started in 2017, and as recently as 2020 displaced families were protesting on highways for their right to housing. Canada should adopt a clear definition of internal climate migrants that captures displacement from climate disasters and slow-onset phenomena like sea-level rise, permafrost thaw and biodiversity loss. UN experts released a Technical Guide on Human Mobility in 2024, calling for "a sound evidence base on the patterns and trends, as well as on the drivers and outcomes" of climate-induced mobility. It also highlighted the need for adaptation efforts "that are informed by stakeholder consultations" and "existing (Indigenous) adaptation practices." Defining internal climate migrants would allow Canada to gather robust data at last, and to act decisively on it. One first step is the federal government's pledge of a National Recovery Strategy by 2028, which would set out "shorter time frames for displaced individuals to be able to return to their homes or resettle after climate change disaster events." But a comprehensive approach is needed to go beyond the fragmented landscape of federal and provincial strategies. The Canadian government should work with all stakeholders toward the adoption of a National Adaptation Act, like Brazil, Germany and Japan. Such a law could remove barriers to Indigenous adaptation action, co-ordinate efforts across orders of governments to prevent displacements, define internal climate migration, ensure data collection and protect the rights of people temporarily displaced or internally migrating because of climate change. It should also aim for greater transparency and accountability than what Canada has so far achieved with its Paris Agreement submissions.
CBC
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Manitoba must cancel moose hunt licensing lottery as wildfires scorch habitats, chief says
The chief of a First Nation in northern Manitoba says the province must cancel this year's moose hunting licence lottery as wildfires continue to scorch the region. Wildfires have torched an estimated 909,000 hectares of the province as of Monday. Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias said that includes much of the natural moose habitat where his community's hunters go to harvest. "A lot of those moose would either have migrated somewhere else, run away somewhere else, or they would have perished within the fire," Monias told CBC News on Monday. "Most of [their habitat] has been destroyed by fire, so even more so now, the province of Manitoba should not issue any licences or permits for moose hunting in our territory." Last year, the NDP government made a controversial cut of 75 per cent to the number of moose licences for Manitoba residents — to a total of 100 from 400 — across four of Manitoba's 62 game hunting areas. Pimicikamak's traditional territory spans nearly 1.5 million hectares and includes portions of four of Manitoba's game hunting areas, including two of four areas that were subject to the 75 per cent licence reduction. The cut sparked legal challenges from Pimicikamak and the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. Manitoba Court of King's Bench Justice Brian Bowman heard from lawyers representing Pimicikamak, the wildlife federation and the province last November. Pimicikamak's lawyers argued the province's licensing decision infringed on its rights under provincial laws, Treaty 5 and the 1977 Northern Flood Agreement. The wildlife federation argued the cut in licences was not based on scientific data. Bowman has yet to deliver a decision in the case. Monias said Pimicikamak could pursue further legal action against the province if this year's moose licence lottery is not cancelled. No plans to scrap lottery: Bushie In May, Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie announced that the province would approve a total of 350 moose hunting licences across the four hunting areas this year. That number was up from the 100 offered in 2024, but still short of the 400 granted prior to the reduction. The province also said portions of the two areas that intersect with Pimicikamak— 15 per cent of GHA 9A and 12 per cent of GHA 10 — have also been set aside for exclusive use by Indigenous hunters. Aerial surveys focused on moose were conducted in GHAs 9A and 10 over the winter, and Bushie said they revealed "very positive" preliminary results. "I think it's more than justified the tags that we've issued to this day," he told CBC News on Monday. Bushie said the province does not plan to suspend the 350 moose licences, but is willing to discuss a path forward with Pimicikamak and other leadership. But the northern First Nations advocacy organization representing Pimicikamak and more than two dozen other communities said it has concerns about the reliability of the data that the province used to make its licensing decision in May, given the current wildfire situation. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said the province's licensing decision was not an example of reconciliation or consultation with First Nations communities. "Manitoba's decision to proceed with a moose licence draw in the face of wildfire devastation and without transparency and without accountability is a direct violation of our rights and a betrayal of the treaties," Settee said in a Friday news release. "Our people are watching their food sources vanish while the province hands out hunting tags like prizes. Enough is enough." Bushie said the province will continue to evaluate moose populations in the region following this year's wildfire season. "As an Indigenous person myself, I know that the priority for us too is the sustenance and the viability and long-term sustainability of the moose population," he said. Bushie also refuted MKO's claim that the province was "tone deaf" and "deeply disrespectful" to its member nations for scheduling this year's moose licence lottery notifications on Saturday, which was also National Indigenous Peoples Day. While Bushie wouldn't comment on the legal cases currently before the courts, he said the issue has led the province to increase its investments in aerial surveys in game hunting areas across the province. "As we go forward, it's important for us to be able to have as accurate a number as we could," he said. "Our preliminary results so far have shown that those numbers are bouncing back in a very positive way, so that's why we felt very confident in going forward with what we did."
CBC
22-06-2025
- CBC
My family and I had to leave our home due to wildfires. Here's a photo diary of what happened next
This First Person article is the experience of Lori Osborne, a mother of four from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. For more info rmation about CBC's First Person stories, please see this FAQ. You can read more First Person articles here. On May 28, Pimicikamak Cree Nation was placed under an emergency evacuation order, as wildfires burned out of control near the northern Manitoba First Nation and surrounding communities. Lori Osborne, her four children and her partner, Stephan Robinson, were among the thousands who had to leave, and just found out earlier this week they'd finally be able to go home. Osborne diarized their journey with photos and notes. This is the first picture I decided to take before we were all told to evacuate, sitting around the living room with our bags all out and listening to the chief talk on radio and tell us to evacuate. I remember just rushing around and grabbing the things I needed. I packed as much as I could for me and my four kids. And let me tell you, that was hard. I probably packed more pants than shirts for my eight-month-old baby, Greenly. I packed two shirts and two pants for my son, Lakota, because I didn't do laundry. It was hectic packing, not only for myself but my kids — making sure I packed enough Pampers or milk, shoving things in to make it fit. Greenly was starting to get super fussy trying to get across the ferry to Norway House. I would have to carry her around outside sometimes just to keep her busy! Do you know how hard it can be to entertain a baby in a cramped up vehicle? (Ha ha.) I had my daughter Meena, my son Lakota and my niece Scarlett sing baby songs, such as Icky Sticky Bubble Gum and The Wheels On the Bus. I thought it would take forever to get to the ferry. This is Greenly and Meena waiting for the Hercules plane. I remember the wait was so hard! I didn't have a stroller for my baby girl, so I'd been carrying her a lot. Me and my boyfriend, Stephan Robinson, had to take turns holding her. I almost blacked out, because I was so hot and sweaty and tired. I just got so tired, I decided to lay her on the ground with her sister and me. This one here! It's when I realized, 'Oh, OK, this is serious. We're actually leaving our home!' I got scared, I'm not gonna lie. I'm not used to leaving my hometown. I'm not used to travelling. I never travelled with all four of my kids. Me and Stephan had to reassure my babies everything was gonna be all right. We just had to go on a trip to be safer. After our Hercules plane ride, we got into a bus right away, which took us to Peguis First Nation. When I hopped on the bus after settling down with my kids, I started crying. It was about 12:30 in the morning when we started moving, and I realized all my kids were cold. I didn't pack a blanket or warmer clothes. Me and Stephan had to take our sweaters to put on our babies, but there were only two of us and we had four cold babies. My son used mine, and our eight-month-old really needed one. My Meena was curled up in a ball inside her shirt. I cried and felt so sorry for them during that whole bus ride. When we arrived in Peguis, as we were walking into the multiplex, I noticed lots of cots with blankets and sheets on top of them. I noticed bottled water and snacks, and when I got into the washroom, I noticed clean towels hanging everywhere, shampoo, conditioner, soap, tooth brushes, etc. They even had a place for Pampers, Enfamil and a nursing station all in one building! Everything was literally ready when we got in, and boy, did I feel so much peace. My kids had a place to sleep, a blanket and a pillow. They gave us so many blankets — they gave us dividers, so we could have privacy, and Stephan made a little shelter for us. It felt like camping for my kids. They loved it so much here in Peguis; they had food my kids loved (like noodles and Kraft Dinner), bouncy houses, toys, an arcade and a pool table. But then, after spending five days in Peguis, they announced on the intercom we had to pack because we were going to Niagara Falls, Ont. Let me tell you, my heart dropped! I never ever travelled that far, let alone with all four of my kids. I got nervous, scared and worried about my babies. We packed and hopped on the bus. Then we waited all day at the airport to be boarded on the plane. We got word that we were definitely gonna be on that plane. So Stephan put our bags into the plane — only to be told we weren't getting on that flight. My kids waited around hungry and tired for nothing. I cried as soon as our councillor told us we weren't getting on the plane. She comforted me and said, "I'm sorry, I really am." I was just so tired of travelling and making my kids sleep on the floor. The next day, after a two-and-a-half-hour plane ride, we had a one-hour bus ride to Niagara Falls. We finally made it there. And so for the time being, Niagara Falls became home. We finally got a soft bed and two big rooms. My Meena was at peace. Look at her relaxing with her feet up, chilling. I felt better looking at her that way! I always wondered, "Why Niagara Falls, out of all places?" But it was amazing. On our first day there, we went for a stroll. It was a beautiful sightseeing day. Niagara Falls was something. I might have gone overboard with the pictures, but Niagara Falls was something I never experienced. I'm so glad I got to experience it with our kids. We spent seven days in Niagara Falls. I won't forget it. But then we got bad news. My babies' Papa Ross, their grandfather, had passed away. We took it hard — we cried in front of our kids in our hotel. We had to tell our babies that their papa, whom they were sooo close to, had passed away. Carl Ross had been on dialysis for 12 years. He'd been nothing but good to me and my babies. This was the last picture we took of him, when we were first evacuated and before we went to Niagara Falls. But now, it was time to pack up once again and leave. We flew back to Winnipeg as soon as we heard, where my mother-in-law found a hotel room for us. This is back in Winnipeg (see below), waiting for a ride to the Travelodge. For my babies, it meant another long travel day. It's not that bad at the Travelodge. I'm just glad I'm closer to home and I get to see so many familiar faces. My kids love it. We feel at home. News! After almost three weeks of travel, we just got word the evacuation is lifted! We get to go home!
Globe and Mail
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Wildfire evacuees continue returning home in Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles. Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system. 'Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning,' said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page. An evacuation order also was lifted Tuesday for the dozens of evacuees from Bissett, near the Manitoba-Ontario boundary. They were forced out last month by a wildfire near Nopiming Provincial Park. Where in Canada are there wildfire smoke warnings? Our map tracks air quality across the country Residents in Flin Flon, one of the largest communities evacuated, were still waiting for the fire threat to diminish before they could be allowed to return. An out-of-control fire covering roughly 3,700 square kilometres continued to burn north and east of the city of 5,000 people. Manitoba's latest report said crews were battling 18 fires, eight of which were out of control. At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 residents were out of their homes, putting pressure on the province's supply of hotel rooms and prompting Premier Wab Kinew's government to encourage tourists to reconsider Manitoba travel plans. A third of those evacuees came from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in the north-central region. They have started returning home, as are residents in Snow Lake, Sherridon and Herb Lake Landing. Rain and cooler temperatures have brought relief to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan in recent days, allowing fire bans to be reduced and more evacuees to go home. In Saskatchewan, the province reported 13 active fires, with three out of control. Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said Monday that people across 34 communities were in the process of returning.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Wildfire evacuees continue returning home in Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Trees burned by wildfires in northern Manitoba are shown during a helicopter tour in the surrounding area of Flin Flon, Man., on Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Deal-Pool WINNIPEG — Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles. Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system. 'Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning,' said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page. Residents in Flin Flon, one of the largest communities evacuated, were still waiting for the fire threat to diminish before they could be allowed to return. An out-of-control fire covering roughly 3,700 square kilometres continued to burn north and east of the city of 5,000 people. Manitoba's latest report said crews were battling 18 fires, eight of which were out of control. At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 residents were out of their homes, putting pressure on the province's supply of hotel rooms and prompting Premier Wab Kinew's government to encourage tourists to reconsider Manitoba travel plans. A third of those evacuees came from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in the north-central region. They have started returning home, as are residents in Snow Lake, Sherridon and Herb Lake Landing. Rain and cooler temperatures have brought relief to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan in recent days, allowing fire bans to be reduced and more evacuees to go home. In Saskatchewan, the province reported 13 active fires with three out of control. Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said Monday that people across 34 communities were in the process of returning. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2025. — With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press
