Ottawa proposes $28 million in support after fatal CFB Wainwright fire
The federal government has proposed $28 million over two years to support Canadian Armed Forces members, their families and communities affected by an October fire at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, in central Alberta. The funding is contained in Thursday's federal budget, according to The Globe and Mail.
The proposal came less than three weeks after the fire-related training incident on Oct. 17. Four Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members died: Sergeant Morgan Wong, Private Shaun Farrell, Private Aidan Goulding and Private Hayden Lykkemark. The incident injured 39 personnel at the base.
Reports of the incident described a fast-moving grass fire that overtook soldiers. Reuters said strong winds fuelled the blaze. The Department of National Defence said 14 of the 25 personnel hospitalized after the incident had been discharged.
The budget proposes $25 million to the Department of National Defence. That money would be delivered to Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, starting this fiscal year. The budget also proposes $3 million in spending in 2026-27 for the Wainwright Military Family Resource Centre at the base.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the funding is "just the right thing to do" for CAF personnel and families.
Separately, Twin Cities reported that 50 investigators had been assigned to examine the fire.
