SASK. PARTY ‘EXPLOITING’ WILDFIRE VICTIMS, STANDS TO COLLECT $6 MILLION OR MORE IN REBUILD TAXES

Northern Affairs Shadow Minister Calls On Premier Moe To Come Out Of Hiding, Exempt Families That Lost Everything This Summer

SASKATOON – Rather than helping the people of Saskatchewan’s North rebuild after unprecedented wildfires burned whole communities to the ground, Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are taxing them at least $6 million as they rebuild their homes and their lives.

“The Minister of Public Safety, Tim McLeod, claims he’s helping — he’s not and he never has since Day 1 of the worst summer of our lives,” said Jennifer Hysert, whose home in Denare Beach was lost in the Wolf Fire.

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“He’s exploiting us, plain and simple. We’ve lost so much, and not only is the Sask. Party doing next to nothing — they’re more focused on making a quick buck off our pain and suffering.”

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In East Trout Lake, which was also lost to fire, residents have banded together and calculated the cost of the Sask. Party sales tax for cleanup, building materials and construction will come to at least $1.2 million. Fifty homes were lost in the community.

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In all, more than 250 homes burned to the ground, meaning the Sask. Party stands to net at least $6 million in profits on the backs of wildfire victims.

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“I think that number is low,” said Jordan McPhail, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs. “The Sask. Party is paying for their mismanagement of this wildfire season on the backs of the very victims they have burnt.

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“I demanded the Minister reverse his callous tax this week and he accused me of exploiting a tragedy. The only tragedy is this sorry excuse for an 18-year-old government that looks at a major disaster as a chance to pad their budget’s bottom line.”

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The Saskatchewan NDP demanded an exemption for wildfire victims from the construction labour PST in August, but the Sask. Party ignored it.

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McPhail said he was done with McLeod, who has shown zero remorse after mismanaging the wildfire response from hour one — the series of failures during the crisis are now the subject of at least two formal investigations. McPhail called out Premier Scott Moe to intervene Wednesday.

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“You’re the Premier and these are Saskatchewan people — do your damn job and reverse your disgusting sales tax on wildfire victims today.

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“It’s time to rebuild the North, not make a quick buck.”

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The Official Opposition has received one dozen bills from residents of the North confirming tax charges of anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000.

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My thoughts are with the 117 workers and their families who will be impacted by this decision.

These are families being thrown into financial anxiety, because of the total mismanagement of Saskatchewan's forestry industry by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party.

From refusing to assist the forest sector when it comes to Donald Trump's tariffs, to allowing disease, insects, and wildfires to devastate forests and destroy investment, it’s clear that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party don't view our forests as assets worth managing.

Our team has made a number of calls to support the forest sector, including allowing dues free salvage of the burned areas to aid reforestation, to focusing on replanting to show a commitment to growth.

Carla Beck’s team has listened to the industry and community stakeholders for the forest sector, and are working to support them to protect the good jobs and communities that rely on them.

The Sask. Party has failed the forest sector, workers and communities for nearly two decades, and now 117 workers in Prince Albert are facing the consequences.

It’s time for change.

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