DENARE BEACH COUNCIL DEMANDS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO WILDFIRE DISASTER

Moe Resists Calls For Accountability, Refuses To Fire Failed Public Safety Minister

REGINA – Councillors in Denare Beach say they’re extremely disappointed that the Sask. Party has denied repeated calls for a truly independent public inquiry into the wildfire disaster in the North this summer, which saw entire communities burned to the ground.

On Tuesday, with residents of Denare Beach who lost their homes seated in the Legislature Gallery, the Sask. Party denied a motion that would launch the inquiry. In response, Denare residents called for Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod to be fired for his repeated failures. Premier Scott Moe resisted those calls during Question Period Thursday.

“The people of the North deserve answers for what happened and assurances that it will never happen again,” said Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck.

“It’s clear, trust in the North has been broken. It’s clear this Public Safety Minister refuses to do his job. It should be really simple — either the Public Safety Minister agrees to a truly public inquiry into this disaster or he should be fired.”

Denare council members issued a statement on Thursday about the need for the inquiry, stating that the Wolf Fire “devastated the very fabric of our collective well-being.”

“The residents of Denare Beach need assurances that the mistakes made will be acknowledged and that strict planning and oversight will be put in place to protect our community and others from future tragedies,” the statement added.

The council also said it would request an immediate meeting with the Premier to demand an “appropriate response” to the disaster in the form of a full public inquiry.

“These are incredible people elected to represent Denare Beach and that’s exactly what they’re doing,” said Jordan McPhail, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and the MLA for the fire-impacted area. “What I can’t understand is why the Premier and the Public Safety Minister won’t do their jobs. After 18 years in power, it’s clear this government is entitled, out of touch and clearly unwilling to be accountable to the very people that put them in office.”

“I want the people of the North to know that the Saskatchewan NDP has their backs and we won’t stop fighting for them each and every day. We will be there to rebuild, and we will not stop fighting until you get the answers and the changes you deserve.”

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