Thank you very much for the opportunity to address this committee today on the matter that has impacted Albertans and people around the world—the wildfire in Jasper.

My name is James Gault. I'm one of six vice-presidents of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees. I represent the northeast region. That region includes Lamont, Slave Lake, Fort McMurray, Lloydminster and everything in between. I also work closely with local 005, which is the Alberta national resources and conservation officers.

Alberta's wildland firefighters and conservation officers, many of whom are part of local 005, were essential in the battle against the Jasper wildfire. They were joined by colleagues from across Canada and from countries like Costa Rica, Australia, South Africa and Mexico. The Canadian Armed Forces also provided support. These brave men and women risked their lives to contain the fire, and their commitment is beyond question.

While their efforts were heroic, the reality is that they have been operating within a system that has failed them, not through lack of dedication but because of poor policy decisions that have reduced the resources they need.

Wildfire management in Alberta requires a collaboration between provincial, municipal and federal authorities. However, this system only works when all levels of government provide the necessary resources. Sadly, this has not been the case. The strain is not due to the efforts of our firefighters and support staff, but due to the lack of investment in their work in the province of Alberta.

Last year, 1,088 wildfires burned through 26,000 square kilometres of land in Alberta and displaced 38,000 people, yet we went into 2024 with no better preparation. While the spring was quiet, July brought back fires in full force, with Jasper being just one of several that endangered Albertans. Our firefighters worked tirelessly, but the resources they needed to effectively manage these fires were systematically cut.

At the heart of the issue when it comes to Alberta is the underinvestment in Alberta's wildland firefighters, conservation officers and the other essential staff. These professionals are underpaid and undervalued. While firefighters in other jurisdictions receive benefits like presumptive cancer coverage due to the risk they face, Alberta wildland firefighters do not. This discourages experienced personnel from staying in Alberta, leading to a recruitment and retention crisis that has left us all vulnerable. Our most experienced firefighters are leaving for better opportunities, and those who remain are stretched thin. This is not their fault. It is a failure of a system that does not prioritize expertise and safety.

The tragedy in Jasper is an example of what happens when the system fails to provide necessary support. Firefighters and support staff on the ground did everything they possibly could, but help came too late. The system did not act quickly enough to prevent the fire from spreading. Despite the heroic efforts of our firefighters, the lack of timely action and inadequate resources allowed the fire to grow out of control.

While the premier had powers to intervene at her disposal, we heard reports that the federal government had requested help from the province, but the response was that Alberta was too busy fighting other fires around the province.

This tragedy is not just one of poor funding, but also of damaging rivalry between governments, where jurisdiction disputes have caused the people of Alberta to suffer. When governments fail to collaborate effectively, it's the people on the ground, both the residents and the frontline workers, who bear the brunt of that failure.

The death of 24-year-old firefighter Morgan Kitchen in Jasper underscores the risks these professionals face. He was a hero, but his loss should remind us of the government's responsibility to ensure heroes are supported and equipped to do jobs safely. How many more lives will be at risk before we ever take action?

The issue isn't just about wildfires; it's about the choices we make as a province. Years of cuts to funding and resources left Alberta vulnerable to the growing threat of wildfires that stretched into the town of Jasper.

The solution is not only investing in equipment. More importantly, it's the people who make our wildfire response system work. Our firefighters, our conservation officers and the support staff have proven their dedication time and again. Now is the time for governments to match that dedication and allow an interco-operative group to be able to work when it comes to fighting fires in Jasper and throughout the province of Alberta and Canada.

Alberta's future depends on these choices. If we're serious about protecting our communities and our environment, then we must rebuild and properly fund a system that safeguards all of them.

Thank you.