We are very fortunate to have firefighters who are willing to sacrifice their lives to fight wildfires. It must rank as one of the toughest jobs on our warming planet. Hopefully, many of us will never witness or experience the suffering of the wildlife, domestic animals or livestock burned by fire.
Wildfires also have a deep lasting psychological affect. Think about the job losses, the devastation to the local economy and the loss of one’s home and personal possessions. It’s sad to know that many fires are caused by human carelessness.
Perhaps it is time that the federal, provincial and municipal governments demand that vehicles have ashtrays. Maybe electric cars shouldn’t start if it detects tobacco or marijuana smoke. Imagine if millions of full ashtrays of cigarette butts could be used in the construction of highway pavement, oil spill containment or storm water filtration.
Justin Trudeau could use the current tobacco taxes to prepare lawsuits against the cigarette manufacturing industry if he wanted. He could share more of marijuana/tobacco tax revenues with the municipalities for wildfire training and volunteer fire departments being paid for their hazardous work, if he has the will. After all, politicians don’t work for free, so why should volunteer firefighters or first responders.
As marijuana smoke will produce more “high fives”, photo ops, taxes and younger voters, Justin should remember: Where there is smoke - there will be wildfires.
Art Bickerton
Saanich