SASK. PARTY MISSING IN ACTION AS FIRE SURROUNDS BEAUVAL, FRONTLINE RESPONDERS & COMMUNITY LEADERS BEG FOR HELP

More Than 1,000 People Evacuated From Communities Amid Latest Fire Threat In North

SASKATOON – The Sask. Party is again failing to respond to wildfires in the North as people in impacted communities beg for help and more than 1,000 have been forced from their phones.

Saskatchewan NDP Athabasca MLA Leroy Laliberte returned to Beauval — his hometown — on Tuesday as the community has been surrounded by fire on three sides. He thanked frontline responders working around the clock to fight growing fires.

“Without you, Beauval would be lost,” Laliberte said. “More than 1,000 of my constituents are away from their homes right now and fearing the worst — and the Sask. Party Government is nowhere to be found.

“Premier Scott Moe hasn’t even publicly spoken about this crisis or posted online about it. He’s given no indication he cares. People feel abandoned. There hasn’t been a public safety update in days and the information provided last week was completely wrong.

“On Thursday, officials said it would be four days before the fire reached Beauval. Instead, it was there in four hours.”

There are widespread media reports from mayors, emergency coordinators and frontline responders in Beauval about a lack of firefighting supplies. Laliberte said his constituents are literally borrowing equipment from local agencies and their neighbours to fight fires. As well, four legacy water bombers and a newly acquired water bomber that all stayed grounded during the fires in La Ronge, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake and elsewhere still have not taken flight to help knock these fires out.

“That’s right — despite a constant public outcry about the failure of the Sask. Party to properly outfit, staff and get these planes in the air, the government clearly hasn’t lifted a finger,” Laliberte said.

Constituents are reporting being unable to access promised financial supports as they evacuated to Lloydminster and other communities. The Sask. Party is already facing an investigation from the Provincial Ombudsman for failing to provide financial assistance, mental health support and proper shelter for evacuees during the May and June fires in the North.

“I want the people to know I hear your cries for help,” Laliberte said. “My colleagues and I are going to keep fighting for you around the clock.

“We don’t have to settle for a Sask. Party Government that doesn’t seem willing to do a damn thing. We can come together and demand better. We will get through this crisis and get back to our homes.”

-30-

Latest posts

SCOTT MOE MUST URGENTLY ADD RESOURCES TO OVERRUN FRONT LINES OF SASKATOON DRUG CRISIS

Saskatoon Fire Report 680 Overdoses In April, More Than 22 Per Day
SASKATOON – Critical first responders continue to urge the provincial government to provide additional support for local organizations working to address Saskatoon’s toxic drug crisis.

SCOTT MOE’S $26-BILLION COAL CATASTROPHE COULD COST SASKATCHEWAN $160M IN ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE COSTS: REPORT

Pembina Analysis Comes As Medical Experts Across Canada Also Warn About Impacts of Backwards Sask. Party Plan
REGINA – Independent analysis from the Pembina Institute estimates that Scott Moe’s catastrophic $26-billion coal plan could cost Saskatchewan over $100 million in additional healthcare costs.

SCOTT MOE MUST PUBLICLY APOLOGIZE FOR DISASTROUS WILDFIRE RESPONSE, FIRE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FROM CABINET

Moe Also Caught Lying About When Sask. Party Received Scathing Wildfire Report

SASKATOON – Carla Beck’s team is calling on Scott Moe to issue a formal public apology for a disastrous response to last year’s wildfire crisis, for lying about when he received an independent report into his failures and to, finally, fire the Minister responsible.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM STANDS WITH NURSES IN URGING THE SASK. PARTY GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION ON THE HEALTHCARE CRISIS

Frontline LPNs Warn That Burnout and Short Staffing Are Driving Workers Away
REGINA – Today, Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Health, joined frontline nurses and CUPE 5430 President Bashir Jalloh to highlight the growing retention crisis in Saskatchewan and to call on the provincial government to address the conditions driving experienced healthcare providers out of the province and profession.

NDP Caucus Office