Saskatchewan to offer $500 to help wildfire evacuees

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is promising a $500 cheque for people fleeing massive wildfires in the north a day after he was criticized for not doing enough to help them. Moe said that money is on top of existing supports for the more than 10,000 people forced out of their homes. “It’s an investment that will be available very shortly to families,” Moe said at a news conference in Saskatoon. “It will be available to support them in their evacuation and also potentially in repatriation to their communities.” The money will go to those over 18. Moe has faced criticism from the provincial ombudsman and others that his government failed to provide timely aid to evacuees, leaving some without shelter and having to sleep in their cars. He said the government has been moving as quickly as possible since the provincial state of emergency was called two weeks ago, but acknowledged, “There has been challenges.” “We’ve worked quickly at times to try to address some of the concerns that have been raised,” he added. There are also concerns from First Nations that the province isn’t doing enough to help mitigate fires before they get close to communities. “I think what you’re seeing here today is there’s additional supports that the government realizes need to be made available,” he said. “And we need to have a look at what those supports look like and what that policy looks like moving forward.” Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck said she welcomes the payout to families but accused the premier of not properly planning. “It appears that the plan was written on the back of a napkin, after the premier rightfully got it handed to him by (the ombudsman),” Beck said in Regina. The NDP has urged Moe to call in the military for aid and provide timely assistance to those who’ve had to flee their homes, as Manitoba and Ontario have done. About 7,000 people in and around La Ronge, 380 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, are allowed to return home Thursday after an evacuation order was lifted. Residents of La Ronge, Air Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band can start going home at 8 a.m. The fires menacing Saskatchewan are among many across Canada that are forcing evacuations from British Columbia through to Ontario and beyond. Smoke has been drifting south into the United States and even to parts of Europe. Christy Climenhaga with Environment Canada said the poorest air quality was in Alberta and Saskatchewan, but that the Prairies could get some smoke relief this weekend. Both Manitoba and Saskatchewan have invoked states of emergency to help various levels of government deliver aid as they experience some of their worst fire seasons in recent years. About 21,000 people were forced out of some Manitoba communities ahead of the fires, including all 5,000 residents of Flin Flon and about 6,700 from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. With files from the Canadian Press. Continue Reading