SASK. NDP JOINS EAST TROUT LAKE FAMILY DEMANDING ANSWERS OVER WILDFIRE MISMANAGEMENT

Swiderski family loses long-time home, ashes of parents, grandparents

SASKATOON – A father and son from East Trout Lake are standing with the Saskatchewan NDP to demand accountability from the Sask. Party government after a devastating wildfire destroyed their home and community — and the province failed to act in time.

Doug Swiderski has lived in East Trout Lake for 55 years after his parents bought a home there when he was six. Years later he built a new home on the same spot, where he kept the ashes of his parents after they passed — just as they had asked. That home, and the ashes inside, were destroyed in the fire.

“That cabin meant everything to mom and dad, so it meant everything to me,” said Doug. “I would’ve done anything to save it. But the government let our home and the ashes of my parents burn.”

Doug and his son Nick say they warned government officials about the growing threat of the wildfires but were dismissed outright.

“We raised concerns about the fire fast approaching East Trout and were laughed at,” said Nick Swiderski. “That was two days before the entire community burned. There was a complete failure to respond — to protect our homes.”

“The government failed the families of East Trout Lake,” said Jordan McPhail, Saskatchewan NDP MLA for Cumberland. “We need to know why this happened — and make sure it never happens again.”

The Swiderski family later learned that half of Saskatchewan’s air tanker fleet — which could have helped protect the area — was sitting grounded.

The Saskatchewan NDP has written to the Provincial Auditor calling for a full review of wildfire response and the grounding of the province’s air tanker fleet.

-30-

Latest posts

JEREMY COCKRILL IS FORCING HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO A STRIKE VOTE — AND HIS OWN COMMUNITY WILL PAY THE PRICE

Pattern Of Failed Bargaining Attempts Mean Workers Leaving For Good And Putting System In Increasing Danger: Roy
NORTH BATTLEFORD – Carla Beck’s team is in Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s own riding today, calling him out for forcing 14,000 desperately needed healthcare workers to vote on a strike as they have gone four years without a contract.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM CALLS FOR ACTION TO SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN PRODUCERS IN WAKE OF DAMNING REPORT ON PRODUCERS BEING SHORTED AND SQUEEZED

Agriculture Producers Association Of Saskatchewan Says Costs Rising, Farm Share Falling For Saskatchewan Producers
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team, while taking in Ag in Motion in Langham, is calling on Scott Moe and the Sask. Party to take action to improve the bottom line for producers.

THE SASK. PARTY CLAIMS ABOUT IMPROVING SAID PROGRAM DON’T MATCH THE REALITY OF CLIENTS WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO GET BY

Scott Moe, Sask. Party Focused On Photo Ops & Political Spin While Those In Need Suffer
REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team is calling out the Sask. Party for their continual failures to provide sufficient support for SAID clients here in Saskatchewan.

POTENTIAL HEALTHCARE WORKER STRIKE ENTIRELY THE FAULT OF SCOTT MOE, JEREMY COCKRILL

Carla Beck’s Team Demands A Fair Deal For Frontline Workers After Four Years Without A Contract
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team is laying the potential of a fall strike involving thousands of healthcare workers squarely at the feet of Scott Moe and his ignorant Health Minister — who seems to cause strikes everywhere he goes — and demanding immediate action to get to the bargaining table and deliver a fair deal.

NDP Caucus Office