WHERE IS PREMIER DAVID EBY; WHY HAS HE NOT CALLED A STATE OF EMERGENCY? 

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026 — As British Columbia faces another devastating wildfire season, thousands of people are once again watching their communities threatened, highways closed, and families forced from their homes.

The question many British Columbians are asking is simple:

Why is the provincial government responding differently than it did just three years ago?

In August 2023, Premier David Eby declared a Provincial State of Emergency as wildfire conditions rapidly deteriorated across the Interior. That declaration gave the province additional powers to respond quickly, including restricting non-essential travel and freeing up hotel accommodations for evacuees and emergency personnel.

The government went even further by ordering that tourists cancel non-essential trips to several Interior communities. Hotels, motels, campgrounds, RV parks, and other temporary accommodations were reserved for people forced from their homes and for firefighters, health-care workers, and emergency responders.

Today, British Columbians are again seeing widespread evacuations, destroyed homes, dangerous fire behaviour, and enormous pressure on affected communities.

So it is reasonable to ask:

• Why has a Provincial State of Emergency not been declared?
• Why hasn’t the government again directed tourists to vacate hotels in affected regions if accommodation is becoming limited?
• What has changed between 2023 and today that justifies such a different approach?

Leadership isn’t simply about reacting to crises. It’s about clearly explaining the decisions being made and demonstrating that every available tool is being considered to protect families, first responders, and communities.

British Columbians understand that wildfires cannot always be prevented. But they should expect transparency, consistency, and confidence that every available measure is being considered when communities are at risk.

CentreBC, August 4, 2026