As temperatures rise across Saskatchewan, so does the anxiety level of those living in the North, as they cautiously await the start of wildfire season.
NDP Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Leroy Laliberte says many residents have PTSD from last wildfire season, which destroyed over 200 homes in Denare Beach alone.
Laliberte adds that the government must be looking for a repeat this season, as the Province did not enhance its wildfire strategy or resources in the 2026-27 budget.
“Even Moe’s own finance minister told reporters last week that the (wildfire) budget is essentially a bit of a status quo… Jim Reiter said he hoped that this year’s wildfire season wouldn’t be as bad. Well folks, that is not a strategy.”
He calls on the Province to implement a wildfire strategy which includes input from Northern residents, some of which have been fighting wildfires for over 30 years.
“Our party would have met with the people that knew how to fight these fires to begin with. There would have been an actual plan in place… The people up north known the land better than anybody…They know what they’re doing up there.”
At the end of fall, Laliberte introduced legislation that required the development of a provincial wildfire strategy.
“If Scott wants to demonstrate that he’s learned from his mistakes last year, if he truly cares, he would pass this legislation today.”
The bill has yet to enter its second reading.
After speaking to reporters in Saskatoon this morning, Laliberte raced back to Regina to bring the matter before Premiere Moe and his caucus.
Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Michael Weger responded that the budget provides $750 million for community safety and another $140 million for the SPSA.
“What we see is the Opposition trying to put fear into the people of the north, when the people up north need to know that this government takes their security very seriously.”
Last year, the budget included $665 million for the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, and another $118.9 million for the SPSA.
