This past spring and summer, wildfires across Manitoba disrupted daily life for many First Nations communities, forcing evacuations and creating immense uncertainty. Despite the challenges, Community Financial Counselling Services (CFCS) and Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED) Winnipeg stepped up, bringing vital tax and financial supports to those most affected.
CFCS adapts amid wildfires to reach remote First Nations From late April through June, the wildfires caused repeated delays and rescheduling for CFCS tax clinics. With evacuation centres in Winnipeg moving locations twice in quick succession, staff had to remain in constant daily contact to adjust travel plans and ensure they could be present wherever people needed them. Their flexibility meant evacuees from four remote First Nations communities, some more than 12 hours away by car, were able to receive tax support they likely would not have accessed otherwise.
One client story illustrates the profound difference this work makes. A senior in her early 70s from Peguis First Nation, displaced by the fires, had not filed taxes in over three years. She was unsure if she qualified for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and was reluctant to deal with CRA or Service Canada after a negative past experience. With CFCS’s help, she filed three years of back taxes, updated her information with CRA, applied for the Disability Tax Credit, and submitted a GIS application. The result: a retroactive adjustment of just under $5000, offering her newfound stability and peace of mind in a difficult time.
SEED Winnipeg: Supporting northern communities before and after the fires Just before the wildfires struck, SEED Winnipeg staff had completed a northern tour in April 2025, running a series of “super clinics” in five communities in partnership with Service Canada and CRA. These clinics provided far more than tax help, they assisted with birth certificates, SINs, CRA documents, financial coaching, and money management sessions. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with over 287 people supported and 487 Manitoba Birth Certificates completed thanks to SEED staff. Staff reflected on how rewarding it was to offer services that were clearly needed and deeply valued.
Tragically, soon after the tour ended, all five communities were hit by the wildfires, displacing many residents to Winnipeg and beyond. The crisis was compounded by a looming postal strike, threatening delays in the delivery of essential documents. Recognizing that identification is critical for accessing emergency supports, housing, and health care, SEED staff worked tirelessly to reconnect with participants through Facebook, phone outreach, and word of mouth, arranging in-person handoffs of birth certificates and other documents for evacuees who had relocated.
Even before these wildfires, SEED heard often from participants that their IDs had been lost due to floods, fires, or other crises. The devastation of losing homes and vital belongings underscores the importance of their work, and SEED remains committed to helping communities recover and rebuild with dignity and support.
Supporting remote communities when they need it most
Together, the efforts of CFCS and SEED Winnipeg show how adaptable, compassionate support can make a real difference in times of crisis. Whether it’s helping a senior regain financial stability or ensuring evacuees have the identification they need to access essential services and benefits, these clinics provided more than tax help, they offered reassurance, dignity, and hope during an incredibly difficult time.
IG Wealth Management’s support and partnership with Prosper Canada has been vital in advancing financial wellness in Indigenous communities across Canada. This has enabled Indigenous communities to have better access to benefits, tax support, and long-term financial planning, building a foundation for stability, opportunity, and lasting empowerment.