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Fatima Syed

@fatimabsyed.bsky.social
12.8K followers 349 following 235 posts

Ontario reporter for The Narwhal. Vice-president of the Canadian Association of Journalists. Springsteen, space, sports, sweets

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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Carl Meyer @meyer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
A document meant for a behind-closed-doors group of fossil fuel advocates earlier this year got right to the point: Canada’s policies to fight the climate crisis, protect nature and defend Indigenous Rights are a “problem” and environmental organizations are “opponents” thenarwhal.ca/fossil-fuel-...
thenarwhal.ca
‘Knowing our opponents’: how a pro-oil-and-gas group tracks journalists, First Nations and environmentalists
New research by Greenpeace Canada lays out a web of pro-oil and gas groups working together to influence public opinion on climate change
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Local Magazine @thelocal.to · 05/10/2026
Carolyn Parrish loves to fight—but to win again in Mississauga she’ll have to prove she can do more. Read @fatimabsyed.bsky.social's profile of the Mississauga mayor as she faces off against her toughest opponent. thelocal.to/carolyn-parr...
thelocal.to
Carolyn Parrish Loves a Fight—Now She’s Up Against Her Fiercest Opponent
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
For @thelocal.to, I wrote a profile of Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish—a veteran politician known for fighting. Perhaps because of this, no one wanted to go on the record for this story Who leads Mississauga next matters as the city tries to evolve into an urban centre thelocal.to/carolyn-parr...
thelocal.to
Carolyn Parrish Loves a Fight—Now She’s Up Against Her Fiercest Opponent
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
For @thelocal.to, I wrote a profile of Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish—a veteran politician known for fighting. Perhaps because of this, no one wanted to go on the record for this story Who leads Mississauga next matters as the city tries to evolve into an urban centre thelocal.to/carolyn-parr...
thelocal.to
Carolyn Parrish Loves a Fight—Now She’s Up Against Her Fiercest Opponent
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Carolyn Parrish, current mayor of Mississauga, is skipping a mayoral debate tonight. It's unsurprising. As you'll read in my profile of her for @thelocal.to, sources describe her as a recluse, maybe even “non-existent,” because of her reluctance to show up to city events thelocal.to/carolyn-parr...
thelocal.to
Carolyn Parrish Loves a Fight—Now She’s Up Against Her Fiercest Opponent
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Alyshah Hasham @alyshah.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
The Mississauga mayoral race lore runs very deep and this thoughtful profile from @fatimabsyed.bsky.social of current mayor Carolyn Parrish threads past and present as the city looks to the future: thelocal.to/carolyn-parr...
thelocal.to
Carolyn Parrish Loves a Fight—Now She’s Up Against Her Fiercest Opponent
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Local Magazine @thelocal.to · 05/10/2026
“Mississauga is at an inflection point, tipping from farmland to suburb to, maybe, something else entirely,” writes @fatimabsyed.bsky.social. Is Carolyn Parrish the right leader for the moment? thelocal.to/carolyn-parr...
thelocal.to
Carolyn Parrish Loves a Fight—Now She’s Up Against Her Fiercest Opponent
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Thanks for sharing <3
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 25/09/2026
There are a lot of eyes on Donald Trump's threats to Canadian sovereignty right now — and rightfully so. But our own politicians are also articulating a new vision for Canada. And The Narwhal is keeping tabs on what it means for the natural places we cherish — places like Lake *Ontario*. 🧵
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
As I reported last week in @thenarwhal.ca , the Ontario government is announcing today that Pickering nuclear plant, which produces 10% of the province's energy, is being shut down for refurbishments that will take 5-7 years Here's everything you need to know: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-pick... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Pickering’s nuclear plant unplugs next week. Here’s what that means| The Narwhal
One of Ontario’s major nuclear plants shuts down for refurbishments next week. That means the province will burn more natural gas for power
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: Pickering nuclear station, which produces 10% of Ontario’s energy, goes fully offline next week, OPG's CEO told the Canada Investment Summit. The ensuing energy crunch will be covered by gas, storage & imports from America (even amid a trade war). thenarwhal.ca/ontario-pick... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Pickering’s nuclear plant unplugs next week. Here’s what that means| The Narwhal
One of Ontario’s major nuclear plants shuts down for refurbishments next week. That means the province will burn more natural gas for power
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
NEW: Pickering nuclear station, which produces 10% of Ontario’s energy, goes fully offline next week, OPG's CEO told the Canada Investment Summit. The ensuing energy crunch will be covered by gas, storage & imports from America (even amid a trade war). thenarwhal.ca/ontario-pick... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Pickering’s nuclear plant unplugs next week. Here’s what that means| The Narwhal
One of Ontario’s major nuclear plants shuts down for refurbishments next week. That means the province will burn more natural gas for power
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Elaine Anselmi @elaineanselmi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Despite current tensions, Canada and the U.S. have actually had a pretty incredible partnership when it comes to cleaning up the Great Lakes. Here's an example of that: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-lake...
thenarwhal.ca
Once polluted by industry, a Lake Superior bay is now in the clear
For decades, Canada and the U.S. have had an agreement to clean up the most polluted sites on the Great Lakes. Nipigon Bay is one of the success stories
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 17/09/2026
The Pickering Nuclear plant, which produces a tenth of Ontario’s power, will shut down next week for refurbishment. @fatimabsyed.bsky.social looks at how the low-emissions power source will largely be replaced with natural gas, and what it means for Ontarians. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-pick...
thenarwhal.ca
Pickering’s nuclear plant unplugs next week. Here’s what that means| The Narwhal
One of Ontario’s major nuclear plants shuts down for refurbishments next week. That means the province will burn more natural gas for power
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Drew Anderson @drewanderson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
According to a leaked document, the government of Alberta is considering a massive overhaul of natural gas pipelines in the province, and billions in spending, to help drive an AI data centre boom. #abpoli #cdnpoli thenarwhal.ca/alberta-ai-d...
thenarwhal.ca
Leaked doc suggests Alberta has sprawling plans to pave the way for AI data centres, more oil production
Rewriting laws, creating Crown corporations that could rival TC Energy, building new natural gas pipelines and increasing prices for consumers: what a leaked document says about Alberta’s AI data centre and oil push
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
After Ontario replaced the Endangered Species Act, ministry biologists were told they couldn't review developers' plans. We found that over 12 have since left, feeling their jobs "stopped feeling meaningful." Here's our latest investigation: thenarwhal.ca/bill-5-endan... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Inside Ontario’s endangered species office after Bill 5 | The Narwhal
‘We were essentially silenced’: current and former Ministry of Environment officials say they were powerless after Doug Ford killed the Endangered Species Act
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
After Ontario replaced the Endangered Species Act, ministry biologists were told they couldn't review developers' plans. We found that over 12 have since left, feeling their jobs "stopped feeling meaningful." Here's our latest investigation: thenarwhal.ca/bill-5-endan... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Inside Ontario’s endangered species office after Bill 5 | The Narwhal
‘We were essentially silenced’: current and former Ministry of Environment officials say they were powerless after Doug Ford killed the Endangered Species Act
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 10/09/2026
Former and current staff at Ontario’s Ministry of Environment tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social and @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social that Bill 5, and the death of the Endangered Species Act, left them powerless in protecting at-risk species. “We were essentially silenced.”
thenarwhal.ca
Inside Ontario’s endangered species office after Bill 5 | The Narwhal
‘We were essentially silenced’: current and former Ministry of Environment officials say they were powerless after Doug Ford killed the Endangered Species Act
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"We were essentially silenced," these sources said. Read the full story: thenarwhal.ca/bill-5-endan...
thenarwhal.ca
Inside Ontario’s endangered species office after Bill 5 | The Narwhal
‘We were essentially silenced’: current and former Ministry of Environment officials say they were powerless after Doug Ford killed the Endangered Species Act
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Sources say the policy changes and departures weakened the scientific expertise Ontario’s Ministry of Environment once valued, reducing the ministry’s ability to protect the environment in an evidence-backed way.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The Narwhal obtained a recording of an internal meeting held days before the new law took effect. "We've lost our impact on the process," a senior official told staff.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Under the old Endangered Species Act, ministry experts reviewed developer permits, asked Qs and pushed back when species were at risk. Under the new Species Conservation Act, developer plans are automatically approved. Staff say they were told they could no longer weigh in.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
@shawnmicallef.bsky.social new queen
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Drew Anderson @drewanderson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
In July, I was invited to tour an operational coal mine in Alberta's foothills. A rare oppotunity, offered by a company that says it's trying to do better. But even if it strives to be better than its peers, can a coal mine be good? #abpoli thenarwhal.ca/alberta-rock...
thenarwhal.ca
A glimpse inside an active Alberta coal mine, nestled in the Rockies
In a rare move, one company gave The Narwhal a tour of its coal mine in Alberta, as the province grapples with the future of the industry
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Stephanie Carvin @stephaniecarvin.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Wake up, babe. The Prime Minister just dropped “hydronym”.
The name Lake Ontario comes from the Wendat word Ontari’io, which, appropriately, means “the lake is beautiful, the lake is big”.

The name is more than 400 years old, predating both the Confederation of Canada and the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.

We know that America is changing. Their trading relationships, their foreign policies, their national monuments, their hydronyms. 

Canadians also know that naming reality means calling it Lake Ontario – then, now and always.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Trump renamed Lake Ontario on World Lake Day. you can't make this stuff up.
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 25/08/2026
As trade tensions reignite, Doug Ford is reviving a threat from an earlier phase of the Canada-U.S. trade war: cutting off electricity exports to the U.S. Can he really do that? What would the impact be? And how much power does Ontario export anyway? @fatimabsyed.bsky.social has answers:
thenarwhal.ca
Ford’s threat to cut power to U.S. amid trade war, explained | The Narwhal
With Canada-U.S. trade war escalating, Ontario Premier Doug Ford could use electricity as leverage against U.S. President Donald Trump
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 20/08/2026
With cities across Ontario pushing back against AI data centre proposals, the Doug Ford government has released its plan for dealing with the new developments — and it’s open for public comment. Here’s @fatimabsyed.bsky.social with the details:
thenarwhal.ca
Ontario’s AI data centre plan, explained | The Narwhal
As cities like Mississauga and Oakville, Ont., vote to block data centre development, the Doug Ford government has released its own playbook for the AI infrastructure
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
It’s been the summer of data centre controversies in Ontario. From Armour Township to Oakville, councils are raising alarms about the few rules governing these huge facilities or the enormous resources they consume. Now, Ontario has a playbook I unpack it all: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-ai-d... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Ontario’s AI data centre plan, explained | The Narwhal
As cities like Mississauga and Oakville, Ont., vote to block data centre development, the Doug Ford government has released its own playbook for the AI infrastructure
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
A Michigan court ruled Enbridge's Line 5 (which proposes to tunnel under two Great Lakes) needs to be assessed again for environmental impacts. Doug Ford used that decision to pitch a new Canadian pipeline, even as Ontario's reliance on U.S. oil & gas grows thenarwhal.ca/doug-ford-li... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
Ford pitches Canadian pipeline as Michigan halts Line 5 update | The Narwhal
With Enbridge project on hold, Premier Doug Ford re-upped new Alberta-Ontario oil pipeline plan, while deepening ties to U.S. natural gas
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 31/07/2026
It's getting harder and harder to tell well-informed stories across Canada, but patience and persistence still pay off. In this week's newsletter, a behind-the-scenes look at how @fatimabsyed.bsky.social's latest scoop came about ⤵️
thenarwhal.ca
Getting the story, when governments won't talk
It’s increasingly difficult to tell well-informed stories across Canada. But a recent Narwhal investigation shows patience and persistence still pay off
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Now we've learned, through internal documents, that the government received 17,000+ comments on gutting the Endangered Species Act, 98.98% opposed. Who is the government listening to? How is the government making decisions? Who is the government accountable to thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enda... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
98.98% opposition to Doug Ford’s new endangered species law revealed | The Narwhal
Internal Ministry of Environment analysis shows ‘confusion’ and concerns about ‘negative impacts on Ontario’s biodiversity’ raised over the Species Conservation Act, under Bill 5
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
And then there's the example of Wasaga Beach. The government proposed to transfer public waterfront land to the town despite receiving 14,000 comments, 98% of which were unsupportive. The transfer happened anyway in last fall's budget. thenarwhal.ca/wasaga-beach...
thenarwhal.ca
Ontario advances Wasaga Beach transfer | The Narwhal
98% of public feedback opposed Ontario’s plan to drop provincial park designation and protections on a portion of Wasaga Beach
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
In 2024, the auditor general found the province passed two bills before their own public comment periods on the registry had even closed. Even with full consultations, ministries "could not always show they considered the public's feedback." thenarwhal.ca/environmenta...
thenarwhal.ca
Does Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights have teeth? | The Narwhal
The Doug Ford government has picked away at the law that enshrines the public’s power in decision-making that affects Ontario’s environment. Here’s what’s left
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
In 2023, the auditor general found Ontario routinely fails to consult on environmental decisions, which included nuclear expansions, weakening wetland protections and conservation authority changes, mining oversight shifts and many more. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-audi...
thenarwhal.ca
Ontario failing public on environmental policy: auditor general | The Narwhal
The Ford government has a “pattern of no consulting” on energy and environment decisions, a new auditor general report finds
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
This is a pattern across years of the Doug Ford government's consultation:. In 2022, Ontario asks for feedback on opening the Greenbelt to development; it got 30,000+ comments. "No changes were made to the proposal as a result of public consultation." thenarwhal.ca/ontario-gree...
thenarwhal.ca
Developers influenced Greenbelt opening: auditor general report | The Narwhal
Most land that lost protections belongs to developers who gave suggestions directly to housing minister’s chief of staff
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
The Doug Ford gov't got >17,000 responses on its plan to weaken species-at-risk law. Internal analysis shows 98.98% opposed, warning of "negative impacts on Ontario’s biodiversity and ecological integrity." The government moved ahead anyway Exclusive @thenarwhal.ca thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enda...
thenarwhal.ca
98.98% opposition to Doug Ford’s new endangered species law revealed | The Narwhal
Internal Ministry of Environment analysis shows ‘confusion’ and concerns about ‘negative impacts on Ontario’s biodiversity’ raised over the Species Conservation Act, under Bill 5
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 30/07/2026
SCOOP: The Doug Ford government received 98.98% opposition to its plan to replace Ontario’s Endangered Species Act with weaker legislation, according to an internal analysis viewed by @fatimabsyed.bsky.social. The bill passed anyway. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enda...
thenarwhal.ca
98.98% opposition to Doug Ford’s new endangered species law revealed | The Narwhal
Internal Ministry of Environment analysis shows ‘confusion’ and concerns about ‘negative impacts on Ontario’s biodiversity’ raised over the Species Conservation Act, under Bill 5
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 24/07/2026
“This is a dream that could truly change the world. Friends, the era of empty rhetoric on the environment is over. We’re taking real action that will produce real, tangible results.” — Stephen Harper, 2007 @meyer.bsky.social on 19 years of carbon capture promises: thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-c...
thenarwhal.ca
Canada’s carbon capture chronicle | The Narwhal
To catalogue Canadian leaders’ promises on carbon capture, I had to go through national archives. The story is one of big dreams, with little results
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
In 2021, First Nations in northern Ontario gave Doug Ford an 82-page wildfire emergency plan. Five years later, two First Nations have burned to the ground, hundreds evacuated — and the province still can't answer "how many beds do you have?" thenarwhal.ca/ontario-igno... #onpoli
thenarwhal.ca
First Nations gave Doug Ford a wildfire plan. Ontario ignored it | The Narwhal
Indigenous leaders and the auditor general gave Ontario several emergency management recommendations over the years. Little progress was made
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal @thenarwhal.ca · 23/07/2026
In 2021, Premier Doug Ford was personally presented with 20 recommendations to improve emergency management in northern Ontario. The auditor general later offered another 30. Little progress was made before the deadliest wildfire season on record. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-igno...
thenarwhal.ca
First Nations gave Doug Ford a wildfire plan. Ontario ignored it | The Narwhal
Indigenous leaders and the auditor general gave Ontario several emergency management recommendations over the years. Little progress was made
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Reposted by Fatima Syed
Elaine Anselmi @elaineanselmi.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Nishnawbe Aski Nation handed Premier Doug Ford a plan to support First Nations in emergency situations, like the wildfires now ravaging northern Ontario. “That was five years ago,” Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler tells @fatimabsyed.bsky.social. “There’s been no response.” thenarwhal.ca/ontario-igno...
thenarwhal.ca
First Nations gave Doug Ford a wildfire plan. Ontario ignored it | The Narwhal
Indigenous leaders and the auditor general gave Ontario several emergency management recommendations over the years. Little progress was made
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
It's harrowing to realize we're still not prepared. The gaps are on full display in Ontario's deadliest & still-ongoing wildfire season -- one that has left First Nations in northern Ontario feeling they were left to fend for themselves Follow @thenarwhal.ca for more: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-igno...
thenarwhal.ca
First Nations gave Doug Ford a wildfire plan. Ontario ignored it | The Narwhal
Indigenous leaders and the auditor general gave Ontario several emergency management recommendations over the years. Little progress was made
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Deadly wildfires are not a new phenomenon in Canada. “You think of what happened at Fort McMurray and Jasper, and you thank God it hasn’t happened here. Well, now it’s happened here and it’s clear we didn’t learn anything" - Sharon Baka, an emergency responder with 30 years of experience
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Doug Ford and his ministers have repeatedly said they're doing everything they can/not "sparing a penny." But that's not true for so many on the ground: Chief Wilfred King of Gull Bay First Nation: "What he is saying is not true... He's creating the narrative so that he can basically lie."
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Ontario's own auditor general flagged these exact gaps — in 2017, 2022, and again in 2024, finding "little or no progress" on fixing them. The 2021 First Nations plan warned of this too.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler has been asking officials basic questions for weeks: "What is your capacity? How many beds are available? Where are the host sites?" Still no answers.
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Whitesand First Nation evacuated hours before the province issued a formal order. Chief Lawrence Wanakamik: "It took too long to recognize the danger, too long to issue a clear direction."
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
More troubling is hearing First Nation chiefs saying they were not given timely and accurate information to stay safe. "It burnt to the ground because of a failure of the province in their monitoring" - Namaygoosisagagun (Collins) First Nation Chief Helen Paavola, after her community burned
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Fatima Syed @fatimabsyed.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
There's an inevitable outcome when known risks meet under-resourced systems: people get hurt. In this case, the wildfires have impacted dozens of remote, isolated communities, mostly First Nations, that can either be accessed by plane or a single road that the fires have cut off.
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