Denare Beach residents participated in a press conference on Monday calling for Premier Scott Moe to visit their community. (YouTube)

By Derek Cornet

frustration

Denare Beach residents call on Premier Scott Moe to visit wildfire-stricken community

Aug 18, 2025 | 4:35 PM

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck and residents of Denare Beach are calling for Premier Scott Moe to visit their community and provide further assistance.

The request was made during a press conference held in Denare Beach on Monday.

In addition to a town hall meeting, Beck would like to see the provincial government deliver more financial support and cut the PST on construction labour for people who have lost their homes in the fires and must rebuild. She also wants a grant program introduced to help businesses stay afloat during the wildfire crisis, especially for seasonal businesses like tourism and outfitting that make most of their profits during the summer months.

She’s also wants to allow businesses impacted by wildfires to delay or defer taxes and fees owed to the provincial government, expedite any SGI coverage and claims for small businesses and tourism vendors impacted, and commit to charging no interest on any government tax arrears for impacted businesses.

“Scott Moe and his Sask. Party government must answer why they didn’t have this community’s back during the fires, and why he still hasn’t shown up,” Beck said.

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“People want to move on, rebuild, and focus on the future – and that can’t happen until we have accountability and leadership.”

At the press conference, local resident Linda Lowe explained the fire that destroyed much of the community exposed not only the cost of their homes and their livelihood, but the cost of what she called neglect and failure of leadership.

“Under Moe’s Northern Saskatchewan leadership, his government’s response was not just delayed, it was dismissive,” she claimed.

“While flames approached our community, we requested support. We got silence instead, until the pressure became too politically inconvenient for you to ignore, Mr. Moe. I’m here today because I want to have some questions answered and accountability claimed by the currently leader and by the SPSA directors.”

Approximately two-thirds of debris in Denare Beach has been cleaned up. (Connie Jakab/Facebook)

Premier Scott Moe faced criticism last week for attending a fundraiser at a golf course in Northern Saskatchewan instead of visiting communities affected by wildfires. (Carla Beck)

In July, the provincial government committed $20 million to support communities and individuals affected by this year’s devastating wildfires.

Lowe noted there are still unknown about what the funding will cover. She added many residents want to purchase ready-to-moves so residents in Denare Beach can move back as soon as possible. She said the province should be on the hook and pay to move powerlines along highway routes to get there.

Greg McBratney, another long-time resident of Denare Beach, was also asking for Moe to visit the community. He said he was sickened to see the destruction that occurred there.

“I do know a way to get Scott Moe here,” she said.

“It might take a while, but he would come. I say let’s build an 18-hole golf course and give him an invite…because he’s done absolutely nothing for Northern Saskatchewan.”

In statements released on Monday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) notes a Recovery Task Team (RTT), which consists of the SPSA, the Ministries of Government Relations, Social Services, Environment and SGI, continues to collaborate with communities on debris removal, review landfill impacts, support project management and more.

“The RTT is currently working with the community on debris clean up, assessing household needs including interim housing and connecting individuals to the support services they need,” a statement mentions.

“This joint effort has enabled the RTT and communities to accelerate the achievement of multiple milestones, including establishing a Community Resiliency Centre in Denare Beach for individuals and families, debris management and removing hundreds of lost vehicles.”

To date the SPSA has distributed more than $5 million to support individuals through the recovery process. The agency has also provided $500 cheques to all residents over the age of 18 that reside in Denare Beach and other evacuated communities.

Additionally, the provincial government has dedicated $15 million to the Canadian Red Cross for further support to wildfire evacuees.

As of Aug. 18, there were 70 wildfires burning across Saskatchewan with eight considered uncontained. There have been 467 wildfires to date, well-above the five-year average of 380.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com