Sask. had wildfire report months before release: Opposition
Saskatchewan's NDP say emails received through a freedom of information request paint a different timeline on the province's independent review into its 2025 wildfire response.
A Saskatchewan opposition party has claimed a province-wide report on the 2025 wildfire response was ready for public release months ahead of its official release, according to emails obtained through a freedom of information request. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) received the final draft of the independent report on March 25, but did not release it until June 12.
Opposition critic Jordan McPhail argued the delays in publishing the report undermined accountability. The wildfire response review, which followed a year of devastating wildfires, had been initially scheduled for completion by March 31. However, Minister of Community Safety Michael Weger later stated additional time was needed to ensure a comprehensive review and include fire behavior specialists.
An SPSA executive director then claimed the agency was "looking to respond to the draft document 'early next week'" on April 10. The SPSA had to provide further documentation and address unanswered questions from MNP, the report's independent contractor, between April 27 and May 22. The opposition party denies any suggestion of delaying the report, stating they trusted the SPSA and MNP to work together.
Weger told Global News he received the final report on May 22 alongside SPSA president Marlo Prichard and has shared emails confirming his receipt of the report. The province has since launched a Future Preparedness and Implementation Unit to monitor and implement the 11 action items outlined in the report.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
