The provincial government is turning to the Red Cross for help in responding to evacuations.
The Ministry of Social Services says Red Cross workers will operate evacuation centres when citizens are forced to flee their homes due to wildfires or flooding.
Minister responsible June Draude stresses the government will still have the overall responsibility of making sure evacuees are taken care of — but she says the Red Cross will help the province deal with that capacity:
“We know that after last year, with all the floods and the instances we had where we needed more people, we stretched the staff that was available to us within the ministry to their limits — and we want to make sure that everyone has the availability of having help if they need it.”
Under the agreement, the province will pay the Red Cross some upfront costs to train a network of volunteers to operate the shelters.
Draude adds the agreement also means shelters may be offered in locations other than the traditional centres of Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.