Canada showcases tragic wildfire season to promote carbon pricing initiative at UN
CTV
The federal government is hoping Canada's devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.
The federal government is hoping Canada's devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the big draw at a UN event Wednesday aimed at encouraging countries to put a price on pollution.
But two of the heroes from a fearsome summer of wildfires ended up stealing the show.
West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund's harrowing story of a 36-hour battle to keep the flames out of his B.C. city earned a partial standing ovation.
And assistant Halifax fire Chief Sherry Dean described how some of her crew members pulled people to safety as their homes went up in flames.
Trudeau used the moment to promote carbon pricing as a way for the leaders of UN member countries to stand by their first responders.
It was "36 hours that felt like 100 years," Brolund said as he described his marathon shift in mid-August fighting the blazes that were threatening his community in the B.C. Interior.
