“This was a horrific summer for so many people in Northern Saskatchewan — I want them to know we’ve heard their calls for change,” said Carla Beck, Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP. “We have a responsibility to make sure what happened this summer never happens again. The provincial government can never be caught flat-footed like this again.”
Bill 609, The Saskatchewan Wildfire Strategy Act, would require the Ministry of Public Safety to create and regularly update a provincial wildfire management strategy, maintain ongoing consultation with experts and Indigenous and community partners, and provide clear, transparent public reporting.
“The people of the North are tired of being ignored by this 18-year-old government,” said Athabasca MLA Leroy Laliberte. “Every community deserves a safe, secure future in this great province.”
Out of pure frustration, Trevor Sewap quit as the Fire Base Supervisor for Pelican Narrows as fire raced into Denare Beach. He welcomes legislation that would require better wildfire management training.
“The government wanted to run from the fire and they left behind only people with only their running shoes and no proper equipment to try to save the community,” Sewap said. “No one listened to me or anyone else with experience. That can’t happen again — I’ve been fighting fires since before many of the people calling the shots were born.”
Parts of the Sask. Party’s chaotic and ineffective wildfire response are currently under investigation by the Provincial Ombudsman and by two separate investigations from the Provincial Auditor. Community firefighters and residents of Denare Beach continue to call for a full public inquiry into the government’s response.
The Sask. Party government refused federal military assistance at the peak of the wildfires and allegedly overspent $100 million on waterbombers that never saw action.
“Just weeks before fire season, Moe’s minister looked me in the eye and promised the government was fully prepared,” said Cumberland MLA and Northern Affairs Shadow Minister Jordan McPhail. “The word of a Sask. Party minister simply isn’t enough anymore. We need a law on the books that forces real preparation.”
Kari Lentowicz has an extensive background in disaster and emergency management. Her home burned in Denare Beach.
“We need to involve the local people and realize that their years of experience in their environment has significant value. Their lived experience and knowledge of the land needs to be integrated into preparedness planning and leveraged during response,” Lentowicz said.
“We don’t want anyone else to lose their homes or two-thirds of their community because the government failed to consult the very people they were supposed to serve and protect. Many of us were there and were ignored — utilizing local knowledge, listening to those outside the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency with years of wildfire experience, and acknowledging help outside the existing SPSA was necessary and would have prevented a disaster of this scale.
“There is also the need for accountability for everything that was lost.”
The Saskatchewan NDP also continues to join countless voices from the North in advocating for a truly independent public inquiry into the wildfire disaster.
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