FROM ONE CRISIS TO ANOTHER — It tops the agenda right across Canada. On the East Coast at the government’s Cabinet retreat, it’s briefing time with experts on what it will take to fix the staggering problems of housing affordability and availability. Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU was pressed by reporters and the opposition Monday, with Conservative Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE jabbing that the retreat focusing on housing comes just a few “weeks after he said housing is not his job.†But on the other side of the country, it’s at the forefront in a very different way. Many Canadians fled to safety from dangerous wildfires and are waiting to return home. Some of those no longer exist. — Center of the information storm: Conservative MP DAN ALBAS, who represents the B.C. riding of Central Okanagan–Similkameen–Nicola where wildfires have raged, is working on overdrive — tracking developments, trying to pull answers from all levels of government and fielding questions from anxious constituents who “don't know when they can return or what they'll return to.†One of his own staffers even had to evacuate to safety. The federal government said it will help British Columbia however it can, but Albas is still searching for details about resources: what and where will get priority. “A lot of my constituents say, ‘Are more [resources] coming?’ And the answer is yes, but we just don't know where,†Albas said. Officials said the fires have claimed at least 50 buildings in West Kelowna but they were still assessing the damage at last check. “There's obviously been some loss of structures on Westside Road,†Albas said of the curvy road in the heart of the Okanagan. “Those are going to be devastating because many people built their whole lives there and in some cases, this was going to be their piece of paradise for retirement.†The biggest challenge the area faced: how fluidly the fires were moving. West Kelowna is serviced by just one hydro line — something that could have complicated an already difficult situation. “It's unfortunate that when these things happen, we really see how many of our systems have no redundancies,†Albas said. — What’s next: After things start to clear up and people can start returning home, then comes dealing with insurance and the wait for government aid. Albas said some constituents have not yet had their claims from last year’s floods through the Disaster Financial Assistance Program fully processed. — In related listening: On The Decibel this morning: What it’s like to escape from wildfires. — Concerning outlook: NDP MP RICHARD CANNINGS, who represents South Okanagan—West Kootenay which neighbors Albas’ riding, said his area has dealt with less danger but days of smoke. It’s affecting residents and led to a major tourism draw being cancelled: the Ironman triathlon, scheduled for this weekend. And the concern is always that the situation could quickly turn. “When you get unstable weather conditions, you often get lightning, and once you combine lightning with high winds, that's a real bad news story. So, the real fear in my riding is new fire starting, and it can start any second,†he said. “We had a huge fire barrier 20 years ago that wiped out a couple of communities and it started with one cigarette.†Cannings is calling for a national wildfire-fighting force to prepare for a future with more disasters in store from climate change: “The takeaway is that this is the way things are going to be, if not worse ... so this is something we really have to be prepared for.†— Shots at Meta: B.C.’s NDP Premier DAVID EBY called on Meta to reconsider its news-blocking policy on its networks that were “built, frankly, on the backs of local media,†during the provincial emergency. "It feels a bit like they are holding British Columbians for ransom to make a point with Ottawa." Eby said while B.C. had ended its ad spends on Meta platforms in protest, it resumed doing so during the emergency since getting critical information out can be a “matter of life and death.†| 
