Question Period (13 May 2025)

From Hansard (13 May 2025)

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Preparation for Wildfire Season in the North

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will say that I am definitely not new to Saskatchewan and definitely not new to northern Saskatchewan, like the member opposite.

Mr. Speaker, the wildfire season is here. People in the North are already seeing smoke in their communities, and many are worried that this year could be another terrible year for wildfires.

What is the provincial government doing to ensure northerners will be safe from wildfires this year? Will there be enough resources to fight the fires and keep people and their homes safe? And will they work with local First Nations and Métis people and municipal leaders to coordinate this year’s fire response?

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and our government will absolutely be ensuring that we have enough resources to support the firefighters in the North, making sure that this is yet another successful firefighting season for the SPSA [Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency], Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I know that the member from Regina Rosemont really wants to hear about the new plane that we’ve got coming to assist in the firefighting suppression. And that plane will be unveiled in the next month and will be added to the fleet. Mr. Speaker, we are pleased that the province of Quebec has provided additional resources to address the current situation. The state of Alaska is providing an additional plane that’ll be arriving next week.

We have these agreements, Mr. Speaker, between provinces throughout the nation of Canada and with our American partners to make sure that each of us has enough resources to address the wildfire situations in our province and keep our communities safe, and that will continue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

 

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