Ottawa, ON – Blake Richards, Conservative Shadow Minister for Emergency Preparedness and Community Resilience, released the following statement condemning Liberal cuts to the Government Operations Centre:
“After months of Conservative warnings that Liberal cuts to Canada’s Government Operations Centre will weaken our response to wildfires, the Liberals’ own numbers last week confirm staffing reductions.
“From March 2025 to September 2026, staffing fell from 118 full-time equivalents to just 101. That is a reduction of 17 full-time equivalents, nearly a 15 per cent cut. Funded permanent positions at the Government Operations Centre dropped from 114 to 103.
“The Government Operations Centre plays a critical role during emergencies, especially when wildfires, floods and other disasters threaten lives, homes and communities. Yet instead of strengthening emergency preparedness, the Liberals continue to weaken the teams responsible for coordinating the federal response.
“Despite these cuts, the Liberals claim that the Centre remains fully capable of fulfilling its mandate. Canadians are right to ask how reducing the very personnel responsible for coordinating our national emergency response will not compromise Canada’s readiness when disaster strikes.
“These cuts come from the same Liberal government that ignored years of Conservative warnings before the devastating 2024 wildfire that destroyed one-third of Jasper. Conservatives called for mechanical harvesting, clearing and prescribed burns. The Liberals failed to act then, and are still failing now.
“Canadians deserve a government that will put safety first. They deserve confidence that during times of crisis, the people and resources needed to protect them will be there.
“Conservatives will continue demanding accountability and assurance that the government has the resources, personnel and coordination to keep Canadians safe. We will fight for immediate mechanical clearing and localized prescribed fires, end overlapping command between Parks Canada and provincial ministries, and empower local and Indigenous communities.”