People With Mobility Issues Need Clear Evacuation

For immediate release

August 14, 2025

NDP Leader Jim Dinn says government is placing an extra burden of worry on people with mobility issues during ongoing wildfire evacuation plans. Dinn says conflicting instructions are increasing levels of uncertainty, and government must take immediate action.

Dinn wrote to the premier yesterday. The text of the letter follows:

Re: Access phone numbers for people with mobility issues on evacuation alert

You mentioned in a previous press conference that there was an emergency plan and today it was also mentioned that if someone is experiencing a state of evacuation alert and if you have mobility issues, you should call the Department of Families and Affordability for access numbers to call to make those arrangements.

From our review of the government website mentioned in the press conference there are no phone numbers specifically posted as the best for number for people with mobility issues to call. Also, there are no numbers on government’s wildfire alert website. Our team called the minister’s office today and were told that the appropriate contact is the Red Cross contrary to the press conference this morning. A concerned community member phoned the Red Cross this morning and was told that the Red Cross is only dealing with registering individuals for compensation.

Clarity is needed.

Again, we thank everyone who is working so hard to keep people safe. Your attention to this matter would be appreciated.

Dinn says prompt, proactive and coordinated action by government will ensure vulnerable individuals know what actions to take to access the support they need.

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CORR_vulnerable_persons_08132025.pdf

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