Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP says it’s asking the provincial auditor to investigate what it calls government mismanagement over wildfires that saw planes grounded, alleged overspending and a scorched northern village.
Procurement critic Hugh Gordon says he plans to move a motion at a legislature committee next week to urge the auditor to probe the issue.
The NDP’s calls follow accusations the Saskatchewan Party government overspent on firefighting planes earlier this year.
Court documents filed by Coulson Aircrane Ltd. allege the province could have saved $100 million if it had purchased planes from Coulson, rather than its competitor Conair.
Earlier this year, the province approved the purchase of four Conair planes for $187 million to replace its aging fleet, and Coulson has accused the government of failing to hold a competitive contest for the contract.
Almost half of the province’s water bombers were grounded in June during the worst of the wildfire season that saw 10,000 people evacuated and about half the homes in Denare Beach burned down.
In an email included in court documents, the province told Coulson its procurement process was conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The province said in a statement Friday it relied on advice from an independent non-profit research company in procuring the planes.
It said specifications were designed to ensure the planes met the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s needs.
“The Government of Saskatchewan remains committed to a robust wildfire response that is in the best interest of Saskatchewan people,” it says. “As the matter is now before the court, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
In June, the provincial auditor said they didn’t intend to investigate grounded water bombers. The auditor has not yet decided whether to look into the province’s wildfire preparedness.
Also that month, provincial ombudsman Sharon Pratchler said the province failed to provide immediate food, shelter and basic information to evacuees. Her office is reviewing the province’s response to those issues.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency has said it deployed crews to Denare Beach as quickly as it could to battle the blaze.
The agency has also dispatched $500 cheques to evacuees and has set up supports in Denare Beach to help residents navigate the rebuilding process.
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