Update: Updated with response from the Government of Saskatchewan.
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The government’s response to aiding wildfire evacuees is again being criticized.
On Tuesday morning, Saskatchewan’s ombudsman Sharon Pratchler held a press conference where she says the Government of Saskatchewan failed to provide timely responses to wildfire evacuees.
Prachler says some evacuees have been waiting days to hear back on food and shelter while other evacuees have been sleeping in cars.
The Saskatchewan ombudsman also says aid money isn’t being given to evacuees retroactively to the day they were forced out of their communities, something she believes should be happening.
The ombudsman is the latest in a string of criticisms against wildfire aid for evacuees.
Also on Monday, Air Ronge Mayor Julie Baschuk was quoted by the CBC in calling the province’s wildfire evacuation “disgusting.”
More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from northern communities, with some evacuees from Pelican Narrows allowed to return earlier this week.
The Government of Saskatchewan provided a statement in response to Tuesday morning’s comments from the ombudsman:
We recognize that this has been an immensely challenging situation, particularly for those who have lost their homes.
We are encouraged today that some evacuees are now able to return home and remain optimistic that favourable conditions will allow more people to return home soon.
We want to reassure everyone that the Government of Saskatchewan, along with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, have heard the concerns about evacuees not receiving clear communication and difficulties accessing support. We are actively working to address these concerns.
With regard to the 855 phone number, SPSA has increased the number of staff answering calls in an effort to ensure that everyone is able to access consistent and accurate information in a timely manner.