The federal government is bolstering Canada's wildfire response with the lease of 10 new firefighting aircraft. Minister of Emergency Management Eleanor Olszewski announced Monday that these resources will be available to provincial and territorial wildfire agencies through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). The fleet includes four firefighting air tankers, one birddog plane, and five heavy-lift helicopters. Two additional "support assets" were also included in the agreement.
These aircraft will be strategically positioned across the country based on anticipated high-risk areas. The decision to lease rather than purchase was driven by the urgency to have these assets in place for the current wildfire season, avoiding a potential 3-5 year wait for new aircraft delivery. Leased aircraft also come with established pilot and maintenance programs.
The federal government invested $316.7 million over five years, starting with Budget 2025, to establish a national aerial firefighting surge capacity. Contracts were established between the CIFFC and Conair Group Inc., Coldstream Helicopters, and VIH Helicopters. This investment marks a significant expansion in Canada's firefighting capabilities, recognizing emergency management as a shared responsibility across government levels and Indigenous communities.
The addition of these aircraft will provide much-needed support to front-line personnel and communities facing increasing wildfire threats. This move aims to improve access to aerial resources during periods of heightened wildfire activity, enhancing national preparedness and ensuring timely support to communities in need.
