UPDATED: Questions raised about Eby's whereabouts as BC wildfires spread
UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, the Premier's Office updated Sitka Media to say that Premier Eby will be appearing Thursday morning to address the wildfire situation.
During a media briefing about growing wildfires plaguing the province, BC Government ministers were repeatedly asked why Premier Eby was not appearing personally to speak to the crisis.
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Lauren Collins of Black Press Media asked, “people in the impacted communities are wondering if Premier David Eby will be publicly addressing the wildfire situation or making a statement to those directly affected any time soon? They’re saying the silence has been deafening.”
In response, Minister of Emergency Management Kelley Greene did not directly answer the question, stating “I totally understand that people are very stressed out right now,” explaining that they are supporting those facing evacuation while stressing that the Government is “doing everything they can to protect lives and protect communities.”
Later in the press conference, Tyler Olsen of the Tyee pressed again, saying “Lauren's question earlier about whether the Premier will be speaking about this wasn't actually answered directly. Can someone directly answer that please?”, to which Minister Greene largely repeated her earlier answer.
Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar followed up, stating he was “in touch with the Premier regularly," adding that they are keeping the Premier briefed on the situation and that the Premier is “engaging with local leaders when required.”
In response to questions from Sitka Media on the Premier’s whereabouts and whether Eby is currently on holidays, the Premier’s press secretary provided the following statement while not answering whether the Premier was on holidays:
“The Premier is calling local leaders who are impacted by wildfires and is getting briefed regularly about the situation. His focus is on ensuring that communities and teams on the ground are getting supports in these challenging circumstances. He is in BC.”
Premier Eby last held a media availability one week ago, on Wednesday, July 29 in Prince Rupert.
MORE INFORMATION:
Current BC Wildfire Status
BC Wildfire Service
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