How Trudeau Burned Jasper: Parks Canada’s Criminal Negligence
Ken Hodges, RPF & Emile Begin, RPF
October 28, 2024
In July of this year, 30% of the town of Jasper, Alberta was destroyed by a wildfire.
And the blame for that can be laid squarely at the feet of Trudeau’s Liberal government.
Parks Canada had years of warning, from forestry management professionals, that the Alberta forests surrounding Jasper were a tinder box, a superfire just waiting to happen. At least one Registered Professional Forester told them that it was not a matter of if, but when.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares of dead forest, killed by pine beetle infestations after proven means of curbing the damage caused by these insects were ignored.
A complete lack of preparedness of forest fire services in the national park that left them unable to respond to the fire in an effective manner. Fire hydrants in Jasper, the threads of which were non-standard, preventing outside firefighting services to assist in saving the town. And the list of willful negligence continues.
Ken Hodges and Emile Begin are Registered Professional Foresters with 90 years of combined experience between them in forestry management.
In this extensive interview, Ken and Emile answer some very direct questions about the mismanagement of this largely preventable disaster. And warn that even now, the government has learned nothing. It will happen again.
Please share on your social media accounts
Access transcripts with an Iron Will Report membership. Sign up for a FREE trial now.
SAFC is Shutting Down
As of early January, 2026, Strong and Free Canada is ceasing operations. All recurring donations have been cancelled. No new content will be published.
