In response to last year's near‑record wildfires that scorched almost nine million hectares, the federal government announced a plan to establish evacuation centres across Canada. Emergency Preparedness Minister Eleanor Olszewski said the initiative will involve close collaboration with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to locate safe sites before the next fire season peaks.

Nearly nine million hectares burned: the scale of last summer's fires

According to the Canadian Press, the 2025 wildfire season was the second‑worst on record, consuming an area larger than New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island combined and more than twice the ten‑year average. The sheer size of the blaze underscored gaps in housiing evacuees, especially in remote regions where hotel capacity ran out.

First Nations face longest evacuations in history

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull‑Masty highlighted that 21 First Nations communities endured evacuations longer than 60 days, the highest‑ever count for prolonged displacement. She added that many First Nations have submitted proposals to create culturally safe shelters , signalling a push for community‑led solutions.

Federal role: coordination, logistics and resources

Press secretary Soraya Lemur explained that Ottawa’s contribution will focus on coordination, logistical support and extra funding to help provinces and territories set up the centres. The plan aims to give organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross the ability to pre‑position supplies and staff, streamlining response when fires flare.

Who will run the new evacuation hubs?

The government has not yet named the agencies that will manage the centres, but Olszewski said the selection process will involve provincial health authorities, municipal emergency services and Indigenous groups. This multi‑layered approach is intended to avoid the hotel‑room shortages that plagued last summer.

What remains uncertain about the rollout?

Key questions linger: which specific sites will be approved, how quickly funding will be disbursed , and whether the proposed culturally safe shelters will meet the needs of all affected First Nations. The federal statement did not detail timelines, leaving communities to await concrete decisions.