The Saskatchewan NDP claim a new water bomber was delivered to the province but sat idle in La Ronge while the region had to be evacuated due to wildfire.
The Government of Saskatchewan announced last year that four re-purposed land-based airtanker aircraft were being purchased costing just over $187 million.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) current fleet includes four Convair 580 airplanes which will approach the end of their useful lifespan in 2027.
In an update this past April the SPSA had indicated Saskatchewan could expect to see the first of four new air tankers to arrive in May. Steve Roberts Vice President, Operations for the SPSA also said at the time that because it is a newer, more modern aircraft, they have access to simulators for training, even prior to the aircraft arriving.
In a news release the NDP says one of the airtankers was delivered May 30th to La Ronge and has not logged a flight since arriving. They also say that during the June 6th SPSA briefing Premier Scott Moe said no aircraft had arrived. A statement allegedly repeated in another briefing June 11th.
Nicole Sarauer, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Public Safety said, “The moment this plane arrived, the government should have brought it into action dumping water on the fires burning our communities.”
