Opposition calls on Saskatchewan government to waive PST on wildfire reconstruction

SaskatchewanNDP say the province is “profiting” off the plight of those trying to pick up the pieces left behind after this summer’s wildfires.Government confirms it will not waive the taxAlexander Quon · CBC News · Posted: Nov 17, 2025 7:13 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Jordon McPhail, Saskatchewan NDP critic for northern affairs, is calling on the provincial government to waive PST on the construction of new homes for those affected by this year’s wildfires. (Cory Herperger/Radio-Canada)The Saskatchewan NDP continues to attack the provincial government’s response to this year’s wildfire season.On Monday, the official Opposition called on the government to waive PST for those rebuilding after their homes were destroyed in this year’s fires.More than 200 homes in the northern village of Denare Beach were burned as a wildfire swept through the area in June.On Monday, NDP critic for northern affairs Jordan McPhail produced invoices provided to him by Denare Beach residents.The documents showed that the PST on some builds was as high as $30,000.”When I brought up these questions in the House and the issues of northern Saskatchewan, the minister [of public safety] laughed. The people who aren’t laughing are the people paying these bills in northern Saskatchewan,” McPhail said.McPhail said he believes the government is “profiting” off of those who have suffered.”Whether there was adequate insurance, underinsured or no insurance at all, PST on construction labour this year in northern Saskatchewan for those that were affected by wildfires is totally unacceptable,” McPhail said.WATCH | Residents of Denare Beach return to devastated village:Residents of Denare Beach, Sask., return to their devastated townWildfires ripped through the town of Denare Beach, Sask., a few weeks ago. On Wednesday, residents started returning to see what’s left of their homes.During Monday’s question period, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod did not answer whether the government would endorse the NDP proposal. Instead, McLeod highlighted the “unprecedented” support the provincial government has provided to those affected by the fires.That includes $30 million for cleanup and debris removal, temporary housing units supporting displaced families to remain near their community, and project management support, as well as $10 million in the form of $500 payments to evacuees 18 years of age and older and $15 million provided the Canadian Red Cross.In a follow up email sent after Question Period, the provincial government made it clear it will not waive the PST on home construction in Denare Beach. “The claims by the lost and reckless NDP that the government is ‘profiting’ from collection of PST is disingenuous when considering the cost of these unprecedented wildfire supports,” the email said.ABOUT THE AUTHORAlexander Quon is the provincial affairs reporter for CBC Saskatchewan. He has been a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan since 2021 and is happy to be working in his hometown of Regina after half a decade in Atlantic Canada. He has previously worked with the CBC News investigative unit in Nova Scotia and Global News in Halifax. Alexander specializes in freedom of information requests and data reporting. He can be reached at: alexander.quon@cbc.ca. FacebookTwitter