SaskatchewanSaskatchewan’s auditor’s office says it plans to look into the preparedness of the province’s public safety agency responsible for fighting wildfires. A financial audit will also probe alleged overpayment for water bombersAishwarya Dudha · CBC News · Posted: Nov 25, 2025 3:58 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The Saskatchewan government was widely criticized during the spring’s forest fire crisis for its response plan, lack of supports and resources. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)Saskatchewan’s auditor’s office says it plans to look into the preparedness of the province’s public safety agency responsible for fighting wildfires earlier this year. “I think that wildfires have been something important for our office to undertake,” said April Serink, a spokesperson for the auditor’s office. “We’re seeing wildfires increasing and the province is having to deal with this. So it’s very timely and it just makes sense to be topical.”She said performance audits take an in-depth look at government agencies’ activities, systems and processes to determine whether the use of public resources follows good practice and complies with legislative authority.Serink emphasized the review is not a special investigation, which would have required approval from the legislature and was voted down earlier this year.The audit follows accusations from residents of Denare Beach who say the SPSA was unprepared when a June wildfire destroyed roughly half the northern community. East Trout Lake was also largely lost, and evacuees reported sleeping in tents or cars due to a lack of hotel rooms and supports.Opposition calls internal reviews insufficientThe Saskatchewan NDP renewed its calls for a full, independent public inquiry into the province’s wildfire response.“Clearly the Sask. Party failed to manage this disaster response from day one, and it’s the people of the North who paid the price,” NDP MLA Hugh Gordon said at a news conference in Saskatoon Tuesday morning. “What we need is a truly public inquiry … where an independent judge can interview whoever they choose and release findings without government interference,” he said. “Saskatchewan deserves a real inquiry that answers to the people and not to the premier.”Serink said the auditor’s office will also review the province’s recent purchase of new water bombers as part of its routine financial audits. “This is the common process, that accountants review the reliability of financial statements. So the water bombers that were mentioned back in the spring, our office will look at the costs related to that as part of the annual audit of the SPSA,” she said. Allegations have been made that the province agreed to pay more than twice what it should have for four firefighting aircraft — a decision Coulson Aircrane, a B.C.-based company, says will cost Saskatchewan taxpayers an extra $100 million.The auditor’s findings are expected to be tabled next year in either the June or December volumes to the Legislative Assembly.The provincial government has contracted tax and accounting firm MNP to conduct an independent review of the wildfire response. ABOUT THE AUTHORAishwarya Dudha is a reporter for CBC Saskatchewan based in Saskatoon. She specializes in immigration, justice and cultural issues and elevating voices of vulnerable people. She has previously worked for CBC News Network and Global News. You can email her at aishwarya.dudha@cbc.ca
Auditor to review Saskatchewan Public Safety Agencys wildfire performance
