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Republican members of U.S. Congress are slamming Canada’s federal and provincial governments over what they claim is inaction in preventing the wildfires currently spreading smoke and poor air quality across much of the northeastern U.S., in addition to Central Canada.
The criticism comes in a sharply worded letter from four Michigan members of the House of Representatives, addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney.
It accuses Canada of failing to conduct adequate forest maintenance to reduce the risk of wildfires and warns that the U.S. “will look elsewhere, and act on our own” if more action isn’t taken.
“This is the third consecutive year we have had to write to Canadian officials about a crisis that Canada has the tools to prevent and has chosen not to,” write the four Michigan Republicans — John James, Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar and Lisa McClain — in a letter dated Wednesday.
“Our hospitals are once again treating children, dialysis patients and older residents for the effects of smoke that did not originate anywhere near them.”
The Republican lawmakers say they are “done accepting apologies in place of action,” and float the idea of taking cross-border fire prevention into U.S. hands.
“Sovereignty comes with responsibility, and the responsibility to prevent a foreseeable disaster from crossing into another country’s airspace has not been met,” they wrote.
“Our constituents are breathing the consequences of this failure right now, and they deserve better than to be told, again, that it will be handled.”
More than 800 active fires
There were 858 active fires across Canada as of Thursday, according to data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario has been causing poor air quality and reduced visibility across for much of the southern parts of the province, according to Environment Canada.
The smoke has also triggered air quality warnings for states close to the Great Lakes, stretching from Minnesota to Maryland, with the U.S. air quality index ranging from unhealthy to hazardous.
Ontario’s forest fire officials say there are 136 active fires in the northwest region, with 63 classified as out of control. Another 44 fires are burning in the northeast.
The province has said there have been 483 fires in Ontario so far this year, up from 351 as of this time last year and above the province’s 10-year average by mid-July of 320.
Neighbouring Manitoba’s latest official figures show 137 active fires, and a total of 261 so far this year.
This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air quality index map from 12 pm ET on Thursday shows unhealthy to hazardous conditions across much of the northern part of the country, from Minnesota to Maryland. (AirNow.gov)Wildfire challenge ‘knows no borders’: Hoekstra
The letter’s tone strikes a direct contrast with the far more collaborative way that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has described Canada’s wildfire situation.
“This challenge knows no borders,” said Hoekstra, who also hails from Michigan, in a statement on Wednesday. “This is a shared challenge, and it demands a shared response.
“I commend the outstanding co-operation between the United States and Canada as we confront these fires together. Our two governments are monitoring and sharing information in real time — co-ordination that reflects our partnership at its best.”
Michigan Republicans made similar complaints about Canada last summer, prompting Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to brand them as attention seekers throwing a “timber tantrum.”
WATCH | Ontario asks Ottawa to assist with wildfire evacuations:
Ontario seeks federal help as wildfires force more evacuations
Ontario has formally asked the federal government to ensure aircraft and crews could be deployed in 24 hours or less for evacuations, as wildfires continue to force people from their homes in First Nations and northern Ontario communities.
In the new letter, the Michigan Republicans criticized unnamed provincial leaders for “offering excuses instead of results” and dismissing the health concerns of Americans.
“That attitude is unacceptable from a neighbour and an ally,” they wrote.
‘Canada: No Excuses. Stop The Smoke’
Two of the politicians have gone even further on social media.
In a video posted to X, McClain said she has been in touch with the White House, noting that U.S. sent foresters and firefighters last year to Canada “since they aren’t really doing much.”
James, who is running for governor in Michigan, posted excerpts from the letter and added an image saying, “Canada: No Excuses. Stop The Smoke.”
Carney did not directly address the letter when asked about it by reporters on Thursday, but took a jab at the current U.S. administration’s climate change policies.
“Climate change is everyone’s responsibility — truly everyone’s — including the United States,” Carney said in French during a news conference in London, Ont.
He contrasted Canada’s investments in clean energy with U.S. prohibitions on clean energy, including wind power — a particular target of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Another Republican blaming Canada is Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio.
Reacting to a social media post about the air quality in Cleveland, Moreno wrote: “I’ll be introducing a bill next week to sanction Canada and the responsible Canadian government officials for this atrocity.”
Moreno did not specify what sort of sanction he has in mind.
“Canada’s government failed to invest in wildfire prevention methods including forest thinning, fuel reduction, prescribed burns, and stronger enforcement against arson,” Moreno said in a news release, directly echoing a line in the letter from his Michigan congressional colleagues.