Premier Scott Moe makes a surprise visit to Denare Beach

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe made a surprise visit to a village that was devastated by a summer wildfire and angry with the government’s response to it.

Councillor Karen Thomson of Denare Beach, near the Manitoba boundary close to Flin Flon, says they were only expecting cabinet ministers to attend the scheduled update meeting.

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Thomson says Moe’s absence in the aftermath of the fire, which burned down about half the community, was strongly felt by residents and that he should have come sooner.

She says she talked with Moe about how the province can support mental health needs for residents, along with financial assistance to help with the rebuild.

In July, 650 CKOM reported Moe was asked during a news conference whether he’d visited Denare Beach or East Trout Lake, a couple of the hardest hit areas.

At that time, he said he had not yet, but was still open to doing so “at some point.”

“I’ve been up into the Beauval area, I’ve been up into the La Ronge area, as well as the Montreal Lake area,” he told reporters, as well as indicating he’d visited some “evacuation centres,” without giving specifics.

Moe also cited the upcoming “Council of the Federation” meetings in Ontario, scheduled to take place between July 21-23, as a reason why he wasn’t available to visit at that time.

Moe said his government had been working hard to help those who’ve been impacted by the wildfires across the province.

“There have been a number of steps where there’s been funding provided,” adding that people’s concerns have been heard.

In August, Moe defended his whereabouts in the wake of the devastating wildfires this summer.

The Opposition had been speaking out about the Sask. Party Government, and giving a platform for people from affected communities to do the same, saying the premier hasn’t been paying enough attention to the communities, and pointing out he hadn’t visited those hardest hit in places like Denare Beach.

Last month, Moe answered those criticisms, saying others in his cabinet have travelled to the village.

“Numerous ministers, and the minister of public safety, has been in Denare Beach on at least two occasions, as well as deputy ministers, Minister of Environment and others,” said Moe.

At that time, he pointed to the increase in the per diem for evacuees and the $20 million announced from the provincial government to help with preparations for rebuilding.

“A significant investment in those very families that have experienced loss, that came about by representation by the Minister of Public Safety within the Government of Saskatchewan,” said Moe.

— with files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff and 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick