Sask. ombudsman set to criticize government’s ‘lack of response’ to wildfire evacuees

Saskatchewan's provincial government is facing increased criticism over its handling of evacuees from wildfires raging in the province's northern half.

Saskatchewan’s provincial government is facing increased criticism over its handling of evacuees from wildfires raging in the province’s northern half.

More than 11,000 evacuees are registered with the Canadian Red Cross and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) from 33 communities, and complaints are rising over a lack of financial support.

In a briefing Monday, Saskatchewan Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said, “No evacuees should be turned away from the supports they need,” while pointing to the provincial hotline number for evacuee information, 1-855-559-5502.

“Everybody’s doing their level best to make sure that people are directed where they should be directed and get the resources that they need.”

Saskatchewan’s ombudsman is set to comment on Tuesday about what she calls the Government of Saskatchewan’s “lack of response to the needs of Northern Saskatchewan residents affected by wildfire.”

It follows days of criticism from the opposition NDP over evacuees not receiving timely payments to help with hotel or food costs while they’re out of their homes. Evacuees have pointed to their counterparts in Manitoba receiving e-transfers from their government.

“People are being treated like babies or toddlers, like the government doesn’t trust us to spend the money properly,” said Moira Pinnell Davis, an evacuee from Creighton, Sask.

Several communities were re-opened to start the week as the wildfire threat to their homes dwindled.