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Infrastructure

During question period on infrastructure, Dan Albas, a Conservative MP, said that Highway 97 closures from wildfires, landslides and accidents keep cutting off Okanagan residents, and he asked the government to work with British Columbia to upgrade Forest Service Road 201 before another closure happens. Anthony Housefather, a Liberal parliamentary secretary, expressed sympathy for those affected and said the government is working with the province on wildfires and climate change, pointing to investments such as water bombers, extra aircraft and volunteers sent when British Columbia requested help.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

2 statements

Dan Albas

Conservative

Linked statement

“Highway closures keep cutting off people in the Okanagan. The government must keep its promise, work with British Columbia, and upgrade Forest Service Road 201 before another closure happens.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, last year, I warned the government that wildfires, landslides and accidents regularly shut down Highway 97, leaving Okanagan residents stranded. The Liberals responded that they were committed to working with provinces to find a solution that works for everyone. Since then, the Bald Range wildfire cut my region in two, and this week, a serious accident closed the Bennett Bridge for hours. West Kelowna mayor-elect Stephen Johnston said, “we need immediate action to create greater stability”. Will the Government now honour its commitment, work with British Columbia and upgrade the FSR 201 before the next closure becomes a crisis?

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Anthony Housefather

Liberal
“We are already working closely with British Columbia on wildfires and climate change. We bought water bombers, sent extra planes, and provided volunteers to help when the province asked.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 44 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

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  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 47 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, first of all, my sympathies go out to all the people who were affected. I absolutely agree that we want to work with British Columbia every step of the way to deal with climate change and with the wildfires that are happening. That is why we have invested so much money this year, for example, in water bombers. When provinces called upon us for assistance, we were able to provide extra aircraft. We have the Canadian humanitarian workforce program, where we were able to provide supplemental volunteers to assist British Columbians when British Columbia asked us for assistance. We have made it very clear to the B.C. government that we will work with British Columbia every step of the way.

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