Latest news with #CarlaBeck
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Sask. government says individuals attempted to ‘trespass' into restricted area of La Ronge airport
Conair Dash 8-400AT Airtankers are parked on the tarmac in Abbotsford, B.C., Friday, April. 26, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) alleges several individuals were caught 'attempting to trespass' at the La Ronge airport earlier this week. In a media advisory Wednesday, the SPSA said members of its frontline staff reported the group was found at the air operations base on Monday, June 16. 'At any time - but especially during a wildfire crisis - it is unacceptable for anyone to interfere with wildfire and emergency personnel operations,' the advisory read. The agency went on to encourage residents to respect the safety rules posted around its emergency operations centres. Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck and MLA for Cumberland Jordan McPhail visited several communities damaged by the fires over the course of June 16-17 - one of which included La Ronge. The NDP released a statement shortly after the SPSA advisory – explaining that its members were recording a video in the airport's parking lot. 'The Sask. Party government's statement is desperate, ridiculous, and a blatant attempt to distract from the fact that nearly half of their air tankers were secretly grounded during the worst wildfires in a decade,' the NDP statement read. 'Standing in a paid public parking lot to shoot a video is not trespassing.' Beck shared the video on social media. During the minute-long clip, Beck and McPhail can be seen standing in front of a hangar and several aircraft. 'We're going to continue to listen to those voices from the front line about what is needed now and about the lessons they've learned, should have been learned by the government,' Beck said. 'We're going to push for better preparation.' Water bomber capacity On Monday, the NDP highlighted that the province's newest addition to its water bomber fleet, a Conair Dash 8-Q400AT airtanker, was forced to sit idle – due to a lack of qualified pilots. SPSA officials quickly revealed that four of its pilots were training to operate the new aircraft – and had completed simulator training as well as other requirements. However, due to Transport Canada regulations, each pilot would have to train for a certain number of hours in the physical aircraft with an experienced instructor. Due to the provincial state of emergency and overall worsening fire season across Canada, the agency put the training efforts on hold and reallocated the pilots to other aircraft. 'Furthermore, there is a national, critical shortage of qualified and experienced aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs),' the province said in its statement. 'We have filled some vacancies by partnering with schools to fill positions with apprentices to build our capacity in the future. We have also had some success in contracting AME's and continue to work to increase our capacity.' According to the Government of Saskatchewan, the province operates four Convair 580A land-based air tankers, six CL-215T turbine powered water-scooping air tankers and seven smaller 'bird-dog' aircraft – which guide air tankers and direct other air traffic near wildfires. Mandatory inspections caused two of the CL-215Ts to be unavailable for five days this fire season – while another CL-215T is out for the season due to 'extensive structural inspections and repairs.' Two CV580s are currently grounded due to unavailable parts and necessary maintenance. One of the planes is expected to be up and running by the end of the month while the other is grounded until further notice due to a failed propeller. The province noted that extra aircraft were also commissioned from other jurisdictions to help fight the blazes.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Saskatchewan Opposition says too many water bombers grounded during wildfires
REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's government needs to explain why records show almost half the water bomber fleet has been grounded during recent wildfires, the Opposition NDP said Wednesday. NDP Leader Carla Beck said publicly available flight data shows four of 10 tankers have been grounded for almost a year -- and this is on top of a new water bomber that the province says has not been used due to a lack of pilots. "It's absolutely unacceptable that nearly half our water bombers were sitting idle during the worst wildfire season in a decade,' Beck said in a news release. 'We need a government that's focused on the future and that includes protecting our communities as best we can.' Saskatchewan has been experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years. Fires forced more than 10,000 residents from their homes, although many are able to go back as rain and cooler temperatures have helped crews contain the blazes. Earlier this week, the province said a new water bomber it received in late May was not used because there were no trained pilots to fly it. The plane was grounded at the air base in La Ronge. Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod had said that pilots started training on the plane but had to change course and fight the fires. Steve Roberts, with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, had also said he tried to find qualified pilots to fly the new plane, but no one was available. As of Wednesday, the agency has reported 17 active wildfires, including four that were not contained. It said there were five communities that remain evacuated. Saskatchewan has rescinded a fire ban for the northern part of the province. Manitoba has also been hit hard by wildfires, forcing 21,000 from their homes, mainly in the north and north-central regions. Pimicikamak Cree Nation saw 7,000 forced out but they are now allowed to go back. Flights were bringing people back from Winnipeg while buses were chartered for those who had been taken to Thompson. There was still no word on when the 5,000 residents of Flin Flon might be allowed to return. A fire nearby remained out of control and officials said there were hot spots not far from the community. In the south, the Manitoba government reopened the south part of Nopiming Provincial Park for permanent residents, cottagers and commercial operators. But two popular campgrounds in the area are to remain closed for at least another eight days. -- with files from Steve Lambert in Winnipeg This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025. Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
Global News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Saskatchewan Opposition says too many water bombers grounded during wildfires
Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP says Premier Scott Moe's government needs to explain why records show almost half the water bomber fleet has been grounded during recent wildfires. The NDP says publicly available flight data shows four of 10 tankers have been grounded for almost a year. They say that is on top of a new water bomber that the province says has not been used due to a lack of pilots. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy NDP Leader Carla Beck says Moe's government needs to explain what is going on. Saskatchewan has been experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years. Fires forced more than 10,000 residents from their homes, although many have now been able to go back as rain and cooler temperatures have helped crews contain the blazes.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Sask. shortline railways say provincial funding appreciated but not enough
Shortline railways in Saskatchewan say they need more provincial dollars. The NDP also want to see small rails receive more. (WayneMantyka/CTVNews) The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for more shortline railway funding from the province as currently 13 small railway companies share $1 million annually. NDP leader Carla Beck brought small railways' concerns to the forefront on Thursday. Shortline railways maintain service on lines abandoned by major railroads. 'We've been talking about the need to build rail lines and pipelines and powerlines, but that rail line has to include investing in shortline infrastructure,' Beck said. There are 13 shortline railways operating in Saskatchewan and some say they are only marginally profitable even with the provincial funding. 'We're the first mile and the last mile, so our job is to put producer car and agriculture products like fertilizer, give them a spot where they can load and unload and get that product to a market without having to go to your Viterra or your P&H or your big companies,' Glenn Pohl, from Xpert Rail Consulting said. Shortline railroads say they are also keeping heavy truck traffic off roads and provide grain producers with more options. 'It takes the burden off the highways that we are feeling out there,' Pohl said. 'It's two and a half truckloads per railcar and when you look at a railcar going down the track you see lots of them.' Shortline railways in Saskatchewan say they appreciate the $1 million they receive annually from the province but would like to see the amount at least doubled. Even then, many feel it would only be enough to rebuild about one mile of Saskatchewan shortline railway.
Toronto Star
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Saskatchewan NDP's anti-separation bill dies as legislative session wraps up
REGINA - Saskatchewan's legislative session ended Thursday and with it an anti-separation bill went up in flames. The Opposition NDP's proposed legislation was repeatedly blocked this week by Premier Scott Moe's Saskatchewan Party, as New Democratic Leader Carla Beck tried to force a vote.
