ILE-A-LA-CROSSE — Premier Scott Moe made an unannounced visit to fire-devastated Denare Beach on Friday where he met with local officials about the recovery efforts.
Moe had faced criticism this summer for not appearing personally in Denare Beach to inspect the damage there, and media headlines about visit on Friday had widely characterized it as a "surprise" visit. Reports are that the meeting with officials there focused on financial and mental health supports.
Speaking at a news conference Monday in Île-à-la-Crosse, Moe called it "a good meeting."
"I was very appreciative of the time folks at council and some community folks had the opportunity to speak with. And I had the opportunity to build, I think, on some of the previous visits that Minister (Tim) McLeod and other ministers have made, I think three, four or five visits this summer and representing their interest in how we have been able to lean in and support in what is a very tragic situation."
Moe said they have "some unprecedented supports that are in place in the community. We got to discuss that as well as what opportunities we might have into the future to have a stronger response, whether it be on the evacuation side or even the wildfire side as well."
"And I would say, I think today is the day that we see the $20 million dollars that we had provided there for cleanup. Today's the day we see 35 homes heading north on a Saskatchewan highway as well. And so we will rebuild, and Denare Beach will rebuild, and we'll be there every step of the way to support that the community and families that live there."
