Communities Burned While Sask. Party Sat On Its Hands, Refused Federal Military Support
SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a comprehensive public inquiry led by an independent judge into the entire wildfire disaster that destroyed homes in the North, left evacuees stranded without supports and left major concerns about the Sask. Party government’s readiness for this fire season and those to come.
The call, made at a news conference Thursday, comes amid ongoing questions about why the Sask. Party repeatedly refused assistance from the federal government and the military.
According to reporting from the Flin Flon Reminder, at a town hall held in late August, area MP and federal Secretary of State Buckley Belanger made it clear he’d met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other relevant ministers about the wildfire crisis three times but the province stood in the way of getting support on the ground for several weeks.
While federal assistance was refused, entire Northern communities burned and several others were severely damaged.
“The people of the North deserve answers,” said Jordan McPhail, Saskatchewan NDP Cumberland MLA and Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs. “The questions keep mounting — as does the frustration. What’s clear is this was a monumental failure and people lost homes, livelihoods, and many wonder if things will ever go back to normal.
“That’s why we’re here today to call for a public inquiry to be launched that is entirely free of Sask. Party political interference. This should be led by an independent judge, people should be called on to testify and recommendations should be developed to ensure something like this never happens again.”
Sask. Party failures also saw several water bombers grounded at the height of the wildfire crisis and then a further scandal emerged as it was revealed the government may have overspent by $100 million on the bombers — the latter matter is before the courts currently.
“We know the federal government was there and ready to help and the Sask. Party refused,” said Leroy Laliberte, Saskatchewan NDP Athabasca MLA and Shadow Minister for First Nations & Metis Relations.
“This was a horrific summer for the people of the North. We know the Sask. Party is trying to cover up the depths of their failure but we will not let them. The Legislative session begins in one week and we will be in there on behalf of our constituents demanding a public inquiry so they can finally get the answers they deserve.
“The people of the North are tired of being forgotten by this out-of-touch Sask. Party Government which has failed them over and over this summer and, really, over the past 18 years.”
The wildfire scandal has already prompted an independent investigation from the Provincial Ombudsman over widespread failures to support wildfire evacuees.
The Provincial Auditor will also be examining the alleged overspending on water bombers.
A public inquiry could investigate those issues and all others, including the refusal of federal military support to deal with the wildfire crisis.
“The pressure is mounting on Premier Scott Moe, on Justice Minister Tim McLeod and others in the cabinet who failed to do their jobs,” said Nicole Sarauer, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Justice, Corrections, Policing & Public Safety. “If this government really has nothing to hide, they will agree to our call today and launch the public inquiry.”
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