Opinion: Fire protection on First Nations under-funded
- Doyle Vermette, MLA | January 06, 2016
A federal government report says half First Nations have “little to no fire protection,” and that our volunteer firefighters don’t have the training they need and deserve.
Those who live in a First Nations community are ten times more likely to die in a house fire.
Saskatchewan receives just $1.2 million from the federal government for fire protection on 70 reserves. Because of that underfunding, modern firefighting equipment and training is lacking, even though it’s desperately needed.
Having firefighting services in every community is a necessity, and should be a basic right. Here in the north we’ve seen the tragic results of not having this life-or-death protection.
The Sask. Party government has failed to step in and fight for the safety of Saskatchewan families. While much of the responsibility lies with the federal government, these are Saskatchewan children and Saskatchewan families, and it’s time that we take action.
Doyle Vermette
MLA Cumberland