Feds should urgently ramp up NWT assistance and facilitate all evacuations from Yellowknife, Green Party of Canada says

OTTAWA - As wildfires forced the evacuation of several Northwest Territory communities and approach Yellowknife, the federal government should preemptively deploy all means necessary to help contain the fires and facilitate evacuations, the Green Party of Canada said today.  Reports of Yellowknifers being asked to pay over a $1000 to fly out of the city and of the RCMP telling its non essential staff and relatives to evacuate are most concerning. All those who wish to leave Yellowknife should immediately be assisted by the government, including the most vulnerable, the elderly and those who cannot afford to fly commercially or do not wish to take the risk to drive out of town. « It is critical that all available federal resources be mobilized to save lives before it becomes too late. Winds can change quickly and evacuating a city is a tricky, lengthy exercise, » said Elizabeth May, Green Party of Canada leader.