Requests for federal assistance

About requests for federal assistance

In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police and municipalities. If they need assistance at the local level, they request it from their province or territory. If the emergency escalates beyond their capacity, the province or territory seeks assistance from the federal government.

A request for federal assistance (RFA) is how a province or territory formally requests support from the federal government in their emergency response efforts. The RFA involves official communication and coordination between provincial, territorial or federal departments and Public Safety. It outlines the additional resources the jurisdiction needs for an effective response.

The province or territory submits a formal RFA to describe what they would need in federal government support for a successful emergency response. The well-established process in place for managing RFAs, through the Government Operations Centre (GOC), includes interdepartmental consultation and coordination.

RFAs can include support for:

Operational Coordination;
Emergency Evacuation, Transportation and logistics;
Specialized Response Resources for Wildland Interface fires, flooding, hurricane and extreme weather; and
Emergency Public Health, Medical and Social Services.

The GOC continues to coordinate formal requests for assistance from federal departments and provincial and territorial governments.

RFAs can range from straightforward to complex requiring significant and sustained responses. Public Safety's regional offices and the GOC collaborate with the province or territory and other federal government partners to assess and address requests, whether through federal departments or non-government organizations.

Public Safety's Government Operations Centre is ready to respond to any situation, at any time. Its all-hazards approach to planning, response and support means the Government of Canada can adapt quickly, under any circumstance, when a province or territory asks for help.

Approved requests for federal assistance

Requests for federal assistance approved in 2026
Province / Territory	Date RFA approved	Type of emergency	Assistance details
Manitoba	January 9, 2026 Emergency assistance to Pimicikamak Cree Nation	Failure of the power distribution line	Canadian Armed Forces Assessment and advice regarding water and sewage treatment, power generation, and project management Logistics expertise and support Indigenous Services Canada Funding for the purchase of plumbing supplies. Securing the necessary human resources for repairs. Support to Manitoba Keewatnowi Okimakanak in providing culturally appropriate food, activities for Elders and families, and wellness checks for evacuees in Thompson and Winnipeg. Support for the Canadian Red Cross to provide emergency social services to evacuees in Winnipeg and Thompson, and the delivery of provisions to community, including water.

Previous requests for federal assistance

2025

Requests for federal assistance approved in 2025
Province / Territory	Date RFA approved	Type of emergency	Assistance details
Nunavut	December 9, 2025 Emergency assistance to Inuit community in Nunavut	Drinking water supply problems	Canadian Armed Forces Support for logistics and transportation, distribution, and pumping of drinking water in Kugaaruk, NU
Nova Scotia	October 9, 2025 Additional support provided to Nova Scotia regarding the wildfire situation	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Provision of accommodations, staging, refueling and logistic assistance; and Access to aircraft washing and maintenance facilities.
Nova Scotia	September 25, 2025 Additional support provided to Nova Scotia regarding the wildfires situation	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Provision of accommodations, staging, refueling and logistic assistance; and Access to aircraft washing and maintenance facilities
Nova Scotia	September 11, 2025 Additional support provided to Nova Scotia regarding the wildfires situation	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Provision of accommodations, staging, refueling and logistic assistance; and Access to aircraft washing and maintenance facilities
Nova Scotia	August 16, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Nova Scotia	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Provision of accommodations, staging, refueling and logistic assistance; and Access to an aircraft washing and maintenance facilities
Saskatchewan	August 10, 2025 Additional support provided to the province of Saskatchewan due to wildfires	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Additional firefighters with integral support to assist ongoing firefighting efforts as Type 3 firefighters
Manitoba	August 8, 2025 Additional support provided to the province of Manitoba due to wildfires	Wildfire	Several non-governmental organizations participating in the Humanitarian Workforce Program continued to provide the following: Staffing to support the establishment and operations of 24/7 congregate shelters and reception centres to support up to 38,000 citizens Support for the provision of meals, and prepared meals to evacuees at congregate shelter, reception centre, childcare sites, and other accommodations including camping sites, hotel or other Support to assist with the loading and unloading of evacuees across all transportation modes Qualified professionals to provide psychosocial supports and related mental health services First Aid providers at congregate shelters, to provide immediate care and reduce reliance on the medical system
Newfoundland and Labrador	August 6, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Newfoundland Labrador	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Type 3 firefighters to assist firefighting efforts Personnel to assist with planning, coordination, and logistics Transportation of essential people and goods Canadian Coast Guard Up to three helicopters Personnel with expertise in planning operations Up to two crew comfort trailers Humanitarian Workforce Program Additional humanitarian workforce capacity Public Health Agency of Canada Supplies from the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile to the province
Saskatchewan	July 23, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Saskatchewan	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Additional firefighters with integral support to assist ongoing firefighting efforts as Type 3 firefighters Rotary wing support to move crews and equipment
Manitoba	July 12, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Manitoba	Wildfire	Several non-governmental organizations participating in the Humanitarian Workforce Program confirmed they are able support the tasks below: Requisite staffing to support the establishment and operations of 24/7 congregate shelters and reception centres to support up to 38,000 citizens Support for the provision of meals, and prepared meals to evacuees at congregate shelter, reception centre, childcare sites, and other accommodations including camping sites, hotel or other Support to assist with the loading and unloading of evacuees across all transportation modes The provision of qualified professionals to provide psychosocial supports and related mental health services First Aid providers at congregate shelters, to provide immediate care and reduce reliance on the medical system
Manitoba	July 9, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Manitoba	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Aircraft to support the evacuation of the Garden Hill First Nation Logistical support
Ontario	June 7, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Ontario	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Aircraft to support the evacuation of the Sandy Lake First Nation Logistical support
Manitoba	May 29, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Manitoba	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Aircraft to support the evacuation of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation Logistical support Public Health Agency of Canada Supplies from the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile to the province
Manitoba	May 29, 2025 Statement from Minister Olszewski regarding wildfires in Manitoba	Wildfire	Canadian Armed Forces Aircraft to support the evacuation of the Cree Nation of Pimicikamak Logistical support Public Health Agency of Canada Supplies from the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile to the province
Quebec	May 28, 2025 Emergency assistance to Inuit community in northern Quebec	Drinking water supply problems	Canadian Armed Forces Local Canadian Rangers for distribution and transportation of drinking water and other priority resources in Puvirnituq, QC
Quebec	May 20, 2025 Emergency assistance to Inuit community in northern Quebec	Drinking water supply problems	Canadian Armed Forces Local Canadian Rangers for distribution and transportation of drinking water in Puvirnituq, QC Community service center and personnel to staff them

2024

Requests for federal assistance approved in 2024
Province / Territory	Date RFA approved	Type of emergency	Details
Nunavut	October 15, 2024 Support provided to Nunavut to relocate passengers and crew of an aircraft forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit	Threat to aviation	The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) provided a military aircraft to transport passengers of Air India Flight 127 from Iqaluit, NU to their final destination, after the flight was diverted to Iqaluit due to a specific threat to aviation.
Alberta	August 21, 2024 Additional support provided to Alberta regarding the wildfires situation	Wildfires	Public Safety Canada worked with Team Rubicon under the Humanitarian Workforce Program to provide humanitarian and logistical support that can assist impacted residents with immediate needs and post-wildfire mitigation.
Manitoba	August 14, 2024 Statement from Minister Sajjan regarding wildfires in northern Manitoba	Wildfires	The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) provided airlift assets to support in evacuation efforts and local personnel from the Canadian Rangers to support logistical tasks deemed necessary.
Alberta	August 8, 2024 Additional support provided to Alberta regarding the wildfires situation	Wildfires	The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) were available to provide firefighting resources in the form of Type III firefighters. Public Safety Canada worked with non-governmental organizations under the Humanitarian Workforce Program to provide additional capacity to support Alberta for post-wildfire mitigation, site surveys, damage assessments, and property examinations and debris removal.
Alberta	July 24, 2024 Statement from Minister Sajjan regarding the wildfires situation in Alberta	Wildfires	The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) were available to provide firefighting resource, pre-positioning of strategic airlift resources for the evacuation of isolated communities, air support to move wildfire crews and equipment, and logistics support. Other federal departments such as Parks Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Canadian Coast Guard and Employment and Social Development Canada were prepared to provide assistance under their own respective mandates to assist the province of Alberta if needed.
Newfoundland and Labrador	July 13, 2024 Statement from Minister Sajjan regarding wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador	Wildfires	The Canadian Armed Forces were available to provide the accommodations and provision of food services to those at 5 Wing Goose Bay. Public Safety Canada worked with provincial officials to better assess the requirements for humanitarian workforce.
Nova Scotia	February 5, 2024 Government of Canada announces assistance to Nova Scotia with recovery efforts following significant snow storm	Snow Storm	Parks Canada (PC) provided resources to clear snow within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and up to 10km outside of the park boundaries. Additionally, PC made a number of snowmobiles available. The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) provided airlift assets to support the transport of personnel and supplies as required. Members of the Canadian Coast Guard College contributed to the snow removal efforts. Additionally, CCG offered to procure fuel bladders to assist with the transportation of fuel, if required. Public Services and Procurement Canada supported the province by providing advice for the procurement of commercial options to assist in the provincial response to the impacts of this event. The Canadian Armed Forces were available to provide search and rescue in life or limb situations.

Date modified:: 2026-01-13

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