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Saskatchewan Government Faces Backlash Over Delayed Wildfire Evacuee Support

The ombudsman warns evacuees have been left days without food or shelter as Australia sends 96 firefighters to assist

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Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe speaks to the media during a scrum after a televised leaders' debate in Regina, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks during a press conference in Regina, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe

Overview

  • Ombudsman Sharon Pratchler says evacuees were told to wait up to four days for assistance and some have resorted to sleeping in their cars
  • The Saskatchewan government doubled wildfire relief payments on June 7 but evacuees say aid still does not cover costs incurred from the start of evacuations
  • Both Saskatchewan and Manitoba have invoked states of emergency, and Manitoba’s government has urged tourists to reconsider visits to free up hotel rooms for displaced residents
  • An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people have fled wildfires in northern Saskatchewan, while over 21,000 in Manitoba have been evacuated, including entire communities like La Ronge and Flin Flon
  • The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency added 14 staff this week to triage support requests, but evacuees continue to report gaps in matching assistance to urgent needs