An amendment to the Construction Codes Act was introduced in the Legislature on Wednesday. It aims to allow for local volunteer fire departments to train on burning derelict buildings.
If passed, the pilot project would allow municipalities to burn these structures, which often create economic, financial, and social challenges and can be costly to maintain or remove otherwise.
Government Relations Minister Eric Schmalz announced the new bill and eventual pilot project.
“It is important to note that only buildings which are owned by a municipality can be exempted from the Construction Code standards under the pilot project. It is also necessary that the municipality has a volunteer fire department, or a mutual recognition agreement with an organized fire department so that the demolition of a derelict building, by fire, can be used for training for firefighters,” he read aloud.
NDP MLA Aleana Young says although firefighters would appreciate the training, it’s ironic that the Sask. Party is also trying to pass a bill that will extend occupational disease coverage for certain types of cancers to firefighters.
“It seems odd to me that the government would be looking to rush through a piece of legislature, which if implemented would see those same firefighters going into derelict buildings, potentially being further exposed to dangerous chemicals and carcinogens.”
The provincial government hopes to make the pilot program available to municipalities by this summer.
Also, during Wednesday’s sitting, the NDP utilized Question Period to state that a lack of safe affordable housing is proof that the provincial government is not focused on the future.
NDP MLA for Saskatoon Westview April Chiefcalf detailed a recent housing report.
“A new report shows that Saskatchewan is seeing some of the highest increases in rent in the country. Rents in Saskatchewan have risen by nearly 34 per cent over the last five years. What does the Sask. Party Government say to renters that can’t keep up with the rising cost of living?” she questioned.
Minister of Social Services Terry Jensen replies that Saskatchewan is leading the nation in affordability, and the affordability measures taken in the recent provincial budget will ensure that it stays that way.
Chiefcalf added that 1 in 3 Saskatchewan residents are still struggling to pay their bills, the highest rate among provinces.
And, as they have been doing since the Legislature was back in session, the NDP is also calling on the Sask. Party to generate a plan to deal with financial impacts brought on by American and Chinese tariffs.
Party Leader Carla Beck spoke during Question Period as well…
“I ask the Sask. Party, have they done an analysis on the impact of the Chinese and the U.S. tariffs? If so, will they release it today, and if not, how did they fail to do the bare minimum at such a critical time?” Beck peppered.
Premiere Scott Moe didn’t acknowledge the question regarding an economic analysis, but he agrees that these tariffs pose a detrimental threat to Saskatchewan’s economy and specifically agriculture sector, which is why there have been efforts to procure Saskatchewan-produced goods such as steel.
He reminds the NDP that the province has a balanced budget, the highest credit rating and growth rates in Canada, and is sitting in a position of strength to weather the storm.
