Saskatchewan auditor finds public safety agency lacks planning to fight wildfires

REGINA – A report from Saskatchewan’s auditor says the province’s public safety agency needs to do a better job at preparing for the wildfire season.

Tara Clemett’s report, released Tuesday, says the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency doesn’t plan for the right amount of resources it needs each year to fight wildfires. 

It says the agency also isn’t properly budgeting before the season begins. 

“Having that money up front allows you to make sure that you probably have the resources in place,” Clemett told a news conference. 

“By basing budgets on robust resource plans … the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency can make sure it has the necessary resources to manage and mitigate the risks associated with wildfires.”

Planning could also save the agency money on contracts, she added. 

Her report says the province paid $3,400 per hour on short-term helicopter contracts, which cost 35 per cent more than its long-term contracts.

The agency also spent more on contracted firefighters than those hired directly. 

“When there is a significant amount of dollars and you don’t have the budget up front, they’re having to make decisions and there is potentially more costs being spent,” Clemett said.

The report comes after two other recent reviews found problems with agency’s wildfire response last year. 

Earlier this month, a third-party review by accounting firm MNP found the agency was ill prepared and didn’t do enough pre-season planning. It also says there were delays in hiring, training and procuring equipment.

In April, Saskatchewan’s ombudsman released a report finding the agency was slow to respond to evacuees, leaving some without supports to get food or shelter.

The wildfires were among the province’s worst on record, destroying communities and displacing 10,000 residents. In the northeastern community of Denare Beach, near the Manitoba boundary, half of the village’s homes burned down. 

Clemett’s report offers 11 recommendations, including that the agency make sure its planes and equipment are functioning properly. 

Two air tankers were grounded during last year’s fires and one of them was unavailable at the start of this season.

“We have some planes that are 40 years old,” Clemett said. “The point in time in which they expect to replace those is not currently determined or outlined.”

Clemett also recommended the agency work with northern communities by developing preparedness plans with them. 

Premier Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government has promised to do better on fighting future wildfires. 

Michael Weger, the community safety minister, has said the province is reviewing the agency’s structure and working to enhance communication. 

Saskatchewan also plans to provide grants to communities to mitigate against wildfires. A new tier of “reservist” firefighters based in communities are to also be trained, Weger has said. 

The province has approved the purchase of four planes for $187 million to replace its aging fleet. It has already received one of the planes. 

On Tuesday, the Opposition NDP urged Moe to fire cabinet minister Tim McLeod, who oversaw the wildfires file last year. 

“This was a minister who failed to do his job from top to bottom,” Brent Blakley, an NDP legislature member for Regina, told reporters. “People deserve better.” 

There’s a court fight involving the planes the province has bought.

In September, B.C.-based Coulson Aircrane Ltd. sought to get the purchase put on hold. The company alleged the province could have saved $100 million if it bought planes from Coulson rather than Conair.

The province has said its procurement process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner. 

As part of her regular annual review, Clemett’s office is to look at the purchase. She said that report is expected later this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 23, 2026.