Ontario's Ford Urges Trump to Offer Wildfire Aid as Canada Sent Help in 2025

3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 21

Doug Ford told Donald Trump to stop insulting Canada over wildfires and instead help Ontario, framing the appeal as support for a close ally rather than a political rival.
Ford cited cross-border cooperation to make his case, saying Ontario sent police and military support to stranded YMCA campers in Minnesota and that Canadians had also dispatched waterbombers to California and disaster crews after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
At home, Ford said Ontario still needs a larger national wildfire strategy despite federal support that already includes 2 Dash-8 retardant planes, with major fires again burning in the province's north.
Prince Edward Island talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other premiers this week will give Ford a platform to push that broader plan as wildfire seasons repeatedly strain Canadian provinces and U.S.-Canada disaster ties.