Ontario Premier Doug Ford pushed back today against sharp criticism from President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over Canada’s handling of the country’s devastating wildfires, calling the accusations “totally unacceptable” and defending his government’s response to the ongoing crisis.

Speaking at a news conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Ford said Canada remains focused on battling the massive blazes and criticized the tone of comments coming from American officials.

“We’re trying to get through this,” Ford told reporters during a press conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario, calling the rhetoric coming from some in the U.S. “shameful.”

Ford’s remarks came a day after President Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada, accusing the Canadian government of “willful negligence” and failing to carry out “basic Forest Management.” Trump argued that the unchecked fires have produced thick smoke that continues to blanket large portions of the American Midwest and East Coast.

“We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, arguing it was costing the U.S. “billions of dollars.”

The president also said he intended to speak directly with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss how Ottawa plans to address the hundreds of active wildfires burning across the country.

According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, there were 955 active wildfires across Canada as of 5:30 p.m. EDT Saturday, including 191 burning in Ontario alone.

Ford described the situation as catastrophic, noting that approximately 655,000 hectares—roughly 2,528 square miles—are currently on fire across Ontario.

“It’s a massive issue,” he said. “My heart breaks for the people who’ve lost their homes or their camps and their businesses.”

The smoke from the fires, along with wildfires burning in northern Minnesota, has prompted air quality alerts affecting more than 100 million Americans. Health officials have warned that the smoke contains microscopic particles capable of posing serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The deteriorating air quality has fueled criticism from Republican lawmakers, many of whom contend that Canadian officials have failed to take adequate steps to prevent or contain the fires.

Ford rejected those accusations, saying critics in Washington have forgotten Canada’s history of assisting the United States during its own wildfire emergencies.

“That’s what neighbors do, right?” he said, noting that Canadian hydro crews and water-bombing aircraft helped battle major wildfires in California, Georgia, and South Carolina last year. He added that if the situation were reversed, Canadians would “be down there without hesitation.”

{Matzav.com}