Republicans blast Canada over wildfire smoke, air quality in northern U.S.

Republicans blast Canada over wildfire smoke, air quality in northern U.S.

'American lungs are paying the price for Canadian inaction,' say 4 members from Michigan

Environment Canada issues air quality warnings as wildsmoke blankets Ontario

Republican members of U.S. Congress are slamming Canada's federal and provincial governments over what they claim is inaction in preventing the wildfires currently spreading smoke and poor air quality across much of the northeastern U.S., in addition to Central Canada.

The criticism comes in a sharply worded letter from four Michigan members of the U.S. House of Representatives, addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

It accuses Canada of failing to conduct adequate forest maintenance to reduce the risk of wildfires and warns that the U.S. "will look elsewhere, and act on our own" if more action isn't taken.

"This is the third consecutive year we have had to write to Canadian officials about a crisis that Canada has the tools to prevent and has chosen not to," write the four Michigan Republicans — John James, Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar and Lisa McClain — in a letter dated Wednesday.

"Our hospitals are once again treating children, dialysis patients and older residents for the effects of smoke that did not originate anywhere near them."

The Republican lawmakers say they are "done accepting apologies in place of action," and float the idea of taking cross-border fire prevention into U.S. hands.

"Sovereignty comes with responsibility, and the responsibility to prevent a foreseeable disaster from crossing into another country's airspace has not been met," they wrote.

"Our constituents are breathing the consequences of this failure right now, and they deserve better than to be told, again, that it will be handled."

Forest fire officials in Ontario say there are 136 active fires in the northwest region, with 63 out of control. Another 44 fires are burning in the northeast.

The province has said there have been 483 fires in Ontario so far this year, up from 351 as of this time last year and above the province's 10-year average by mid-July of 320.

Wildfire challenge 'knows no borders': Hoekstra

The letter's tone strikes a direct contrast with the far more collaborative way that U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has described Canada's wildfire situation.

"This challenge knows no borders," said Hoekstra, who also hails from Michigan, in a statement on Wednesday. "This is a shared challenge, and it demands a shared response.

"I commend the outstanding co-operation between the United States and Canada as we confront these fires together. Our two governments are monitoring and sharing information in real time — co-ordination that reflects our partnership at its best."

Fast-moving fires destroy homes in northern Ontario as crews fight flames

GTA air quality 'much worse' Thursday, but relief on the horizon tonight: Environment Canada

Michigan Republicans made similar complaints about Canada last summer, prompting Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to brand them as attention seekers throwing a "timber tantrum."

In the new letter, the Michigan Republicans criticized unnamed provincial leaders for "offering excuses instead of results" and dismissing the health concerns of Americans.

"That attitude is unacceptable from a neighbor and an ally," they wrote.

Mike Crawley is a correspondent for CBC News, based in Washington. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in B.C., spent six years as a freelance journalist in various parts of Africa, then joined the CBC in 2005. Mike reported on Ontario politics for 15 years. He was born and raised in Saint John, N.B.

With files from The Canadian Press