REGINA — Saskatchewan’s ombudsman says Premier Scott Moe’s government is failing to provide immediate food, shelter and even basic information to wildfire evacuees.

Sharon Pratchler said evacuees calling in for help are being told the government will get back to them in four days.

“’We will get back to you in four days’ is not a response that should be given,” Pratchler told a news conference Tuesday.

She said her staff are being overwhelmed trying to match evacuees with supports, and said some evacuees are being forced to sleep in their cars.

“The time for working on it has passed and an immediate response is required,” she said.

What’s the main concern you’re hearing from evacuees? Pratchler was asked.

“I don’t have a place to sleep tonight. I don’t have food. My baby doesn’t have diapers,” Pratchler replied.

Pratchler said there were other concerns: aid money being given to evacuees isn’t retroactive to the day they were forced out of their homes.

She says a database is needed to co-ordinate resources and help.

Saskatchewan is dealing with multiple fires in the north that have forced between 10,000 and 15,000 people to flee, including 7,000 from the La Ronge area.

Opposition NDP member Jordan McPhail said Pratchler’s concerns echo what he is hearing from the front lines.

“People being bounced around from agency to agency, with no clear information. Phone numbers that don’t work, emails that never receive a response,” McPhail said in a news release.

“More than a week for basic information or support. People sleeping in their cars and in tents because they weren’t provided proper shelter.

“People who have spent thousands of dollars and haven’t been given a dollar in financial aid. Some stacking on mountains of debt. People being given vouchers for grocery stores that are 300 kilometres away.

“At every turn, pure chaos and callous failure. Anger. Frustration. Hopelessness.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press