While the headlines may shift with each update, the effects of Canada’s wildfire season are still a daily reality for many.
The widespread wildfires in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have forced over 30,000 people to flee from their homes this summer as a total of 417 fires have blighted towns and cities.
The following article about pioneering ADRA President Ralph Watts was originally published on the ADRA International website on August 19, 2025. At the recent 2025 General Conference Session held in St. Louis, Missouri, ADRA Canada CEO Steve Matthews had the opportunity to meet Ralph in person. This article affirms what was evident in that meeting: the remarkable impact and legacy of a life lived in service to humanity. ADRA Canada acknowledges and thanks Ralph and ADRA International for the tremendous part they have played (and continue to play) in advancing the work of the greater ADRA network’s mission of Justice, Compassion, and Love.
August 19, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada.
The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), today issued the following statement.
Every year, Canada’s agricultural sector depends on migrant workers — many from Latin American countries — who take on jobs that are essential but often go unnoticed. These men, who make up the majority of the agricultural workforce, come to Canada seeking opportunity and increased financial security for their families, but arrive with limited resources, education, or connections. Their hard work fills Canadian tables with freshly-grown produce, yet their wages often leave little room for necessities many Canadians take for granted — essentials such as bodywash, deodorant, and toothpaste.
The long-standing stereotype of Canada as a cold country is melting away more quickly than many would have thought.
On Thursday, May 29, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a 30-day province-wide state of emergency as 17,000 people were forced to flee from their homes. The fires were precipitated by dry, hot conditions throughout the province – the forested areas, a tinderbox waiting to ignite. Homes, cherished memories, and even lives are at risk.
Imagine losing everything you own overnight—your home, your clothes, your sense of safety. That was Sarah and her partner’s reality as flames tore through their community. It is because of generous donors that families swept up in Alberta’s devastating wildfires have found a lifeline when they needed it most.
At 31 years old, Anthony’s story is one of profound transformation—a powerful testament to the impact of compassion, community, and the right support at the right time. Once consumed by addiction, shame, and the burden of unhealed wounds, Anthony struggled with his identity, mental health, and trust within his own family. But today, thanks to the New Life Neighbourhood Centre’s Productivity HUB, funded by supporters, he stands tall as a college student, a leader, and a beacon of hope for others on their recovery journeys.
The long-standing stereotype of Canada as a cold country is melting away more quickly than many would have thought.
On Thursday, May 29, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a 30-day province-wide state of emergency as 17,000 people were forced to flee from their homes. The fires were precipitated by dry, hot conditions throughout the province – the forested areas, a tinderbox waiting to ignite. Homes, cherished memories, and even lives are at risk.
The wildfires in Jasper, Alberta devastated countless lives, leaving families like Dennis, his wife, and their three kids grappling with unimaginable loss.
For many families in Yellowknife, the rising cost of groceries can make putting healthy food on the table a challenge. The support of generous donations has helped the Community Planter Box Project in cultivating more than just vegetables – it’s growing hope and resilience in our community.
