Late Friday, reports surfaced of a second investigation from the Provincial Auditor, this time into the readiness — or lack thereof — of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency as massive fires raced towards northern communities. The Official Opposition formally confirmed the new investigation on Monday.
In the summer fires, most of Denare Beach and all of East Trout Lake were lost and several homes were damaged elsewhere as well. As well, thousands of wildfire evacuees reported not receiving proper supports, promised support payments and being forced to sleep in tents or cars because there were no available hotel rooms.
“The Sask. Party’s failure to manage this disaster response from Day 1 meant that the people of the North paid the price,” said Hugh Gordon, Saskatchewan NDP Infrastructure Shadow Minister and a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
“We know that the government’s own public safety agency wasn’t ready for these fires. Local residents who lost their homes said they added to the chaos, rather than help in such a dire time. Ultimately though, the responsibility for this disaster falls on Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod and Premier Scott Moe.”
The auditor has already launched an investigation into allegations that the Sask. Party overpaid $100 million for waterbombers to fight the fires — many bombers remained grounded during the height of the fires, fueling public outrage.
Additionally, the Provincial Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the lack of supports for wildfire evacuees.
“That’s three independent investigations from two different offices — but it’s not enough,” Gordon said. “What we need is a truly public inquiry into the entire disaster where an independent judge can interview whoever they choose and release findings without government interference. We need an investigation that answers to the people, not the Premier.”
Earlier this Fall Sitting, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs Jordan McPhail brought forward a motion to launch the inquiry; however, it was shot down by Sask. Party MLAs.
“My message to Scott Moe is we won’t let up,” McPhail said. “Not until he and his ministers answer for their failures and take major steps to ensure such a tragedy never occurs again.”
The Saskatchewan NDP also continues to press for an exemption of the provincial sales tax (PST) on home rebuilds in wildfire-damaged areas, to stop the Sask. Party from taking at least $6 million from those who lost their homes in the wildfires.