By Canadian Press

L.A. firefighting deployment demonstrates Canadian sovereignty, close ties: Sajjan

Jan 14, 2025 | 12:10 PM

Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan says Canadian crews are being put to use in the battle against the Los Angeles wildfires, in a deployment that is a demonstration of Canadian sovereignty.

Sajjan says there was “no hesitation” to answer the call for help, with more than 60 Canadian front line firefighters and other resources heading to Los Angeles in recent days.

He says Canadian support for Los Angeles is a reminder of the close ties between the two countries despite U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s recent tariff threat and his assertion that Canada would be better off as the 51st state.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says in a post on social media that he spoke Tuesday with Canada’s consul general in Los Angeles, and Canadian firefighters were “on the ground, working shoulder to shoulder with American crews.”

Firefighters from Alberta and British Columbia, along with technical staff from B.C. have headed to Los Angeles, as well as waterbombing crews from Quebec.

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Sajjan says more crews from the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta were getting ready for potential deployment should more help be required.

He says Canadian officials want American authorities “to know that if things do change, we have a suite of resources ready to go to respond.”

“This is just a reminder to everyone what good neighbours do,” he added in an interview.

Asked if he saw Canada’s support for Los Angeles as a demonstration of Canadian sovereignty given Trump’s remarks, Sajjan said “absolutely.”

“There is absolutely no mistake when it comes to our sovereignty,” he said.

“It is, I think, a reminder of our sovereignty, but it also is a reminder (of) how close our relationship is and how close we actually work together,” Sajjan said.

As of Tuesday morning at least 24 people had died after being caught in the wildfires around Los Angeles, which have burned more than 160-square kilometres in less than a week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2025.

— With files from The Associated Press

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press