The vice-president of operations for Saskatchewan Public Security Company is leaving his position days after an unbiased evaluate discovered vital shortcomings within the province’s preparation for, and response to, final yr’s devastating wildfire season.
In a press release to International Information, the SPSA stated it and Steve Roberts had “mutually agreed to advance” his retirement date to June 30.
“The Company want to thank Steve Roberts for his 20+ years of contributions and repair to the Province of Saskatchewan,” the assertion stated.
The SPSA didn’t touch upon whether or not Robert’s departure was linked to the discharge final week of a essential unbiased report by accounting agency MNP on the province’s dealing with of the 2025 fireplace season. That evaluate discovered the province had “vital gaps” in key areas of wildfire administration, together with prevention, mitigation and emergency preparedness.
Get breaking Nationwide information
Get breaking Canada information delivered to your inbox because it occurs so you will not miss a trending story.
“After studying this 107-page evaluate, it’s clear the Saskatchewan Public Security Company should do higher,” Michael Weger, the minister accountable for the SPSA, stated when the report was launched.
Saskatchewan’s 2025 wildfire season was the second worst on document. Greater than 500 wildfires burned roughly 2.9 million hectares of land and compelled roughly 10,000 folks from their properties.
About 400 properties had been destroyed in Denar Seaside, close to the Manitoba boundary in northeastern Saskatchewan,
Weger stated the federal government would put money into implementing the suggestions within the MNP report. They embody hiring further full-time workers to conduct wildfire mitigation work throughout the winter and help firefighting efforts throughout the summer time.
In its assertion, the SPSA stated it’ll start it seek for a alternative for Roberts instantly and begin work on implementing 11 precedence actions directed by the Saskatchewan authorities based mostly on the report’s findings.
– With information from Tavi Dhillon & Vanessa Tiberio, International Information
© 2026 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
