LETTER TO THE EDITOR: From Wildfires to Viruses

To the editor,
Recent devastating wildfire seasons across British Columbia highlight a reality we can no longer ignore: emergencies do not wait until we are ready.
The same lesson applies to health tracking. COVID-19 showed how quickly an unforeseen crisis can overwhelm provincial healthcare systems, disrupt communities, and create staggering economic costs. Nationally, Canada spent more than $624 billion responding to the pandemic. This far outstrips the cost of proactive preparation.
The feder