SASKATOON — Opposition Leader Carla Beck continued her criticism of the recent decision by Premier Scott Moe to reshuffle his cabinet, particularly stripping Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod of his position as the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency.
SPSA was handed to Weyburn-Bengough MLA Michael Wieger, who will also lead the Community Safety Ministry, formerly known as Corrections, Policing and Public Safety. McLeod will remain the Justice Minister and the Government House Leader.
Beck said she views McLeod’s removal as minister responsible for SPSA as a response to what she called the mishandling of the northern wildfires, which displaced many people who lost their homes and property. She added the decision is timely, noting one of those affected reached out to her.
“I had someone who's impacted by the wildfires this summer text me and say that they were very pleased to see that. So, on their behalf, I am happy for them, because they certainly felt that the minister [McLeod] had absolutely abandoned them and done a terrible job in his file,” said Beck.
“We still have a lot of ministers who are in right now who are also doing a terrible job in their file. When I think of mental health and addictions, when I think of health care, when I think of education again, this is a government that doesn't seem to understand or care.”
She said the government has done a “bad job,” negatively affecting residents, and that change is needed — something she does not believe Saskatchewan will get from a cabinet shuffle, especially after the summer wildfires.
“The people that we spent time with this summer, the leaders we talked to in the north, even before the wildfire season, said there is a need actually to implement some of the recommendations from previous wildfire reviews,” said Beck.
“We had our MLA for Athabasca, Leroy Laliberte, put forward a bill to do consultation with the people of the north to get ready ahead of the new wildfire season. I won't preclude what that should look like, but it should include those people who have frontline experience and have fought these fires in the past.”
Laliberte, last week, introduced Bill 609, the Wildfire Strategy Act. However, it has not received sufficient support from the Sask Party majority.
Beck added the opposition and northern residents will continue pushing to see all recommendations made by community leaders implemented, including ensuring water bomber pilots are trained and resources are available before the next wildfire season.
SaskToday reached out to the government for comments, but they have not responded as of posting time.
