Mr. Speaker, Anmore and Belcarra sit at the very edge of metropolitan Vancouver. On one side are hundreds of acres of remote forest and on the other side, over three million people. These two villages are a critical first line of defence against wildfire reaching B.C'.s urban Lower Mainland.
On August 5, that risk became real when a fire broke out in Anmore. The Sasamat volunteer fire department, Port Moody Fire Rescue, metro Vancouver and the BC Wildfire Service responded quickly to contain it.
I am working very closely with Anmore, Belcarra, metro Vancouver and my federal colleagues to advance the fire infrastructure these communities desperately need, because we are only as strong as our weakest link and in an emergency, seconds save lives.
I thank the first responders across Canada who protect our communities from wildfire. Their service and commitment are deeply appreciated.