Saskatchewan's Provincial Auditor Tara Clemett has released a report urging the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) to enhance its budgeting and planning processes following a record $350 million expenditure on wildfire response in 2025. The audit, published on June 23, 2026, identifies significant deficiencies in financial management and operational readiness that contributed to the overspending.
Key Findings from the Audit
The report highlights that the SPSA lacked a comprehensive budget for wildfire suppression, leading to ad-hoc spending approvals. Clemett noted that the agency did not adequately forecast resource needs, resulting in reliance on expensive emergency contracts. The audit also found that the SPSA failed to track costs in real time, making it difficult to control expenditures during the peak fire season.
According to Clemett, the SPSA's budget for wildfire response in 2025 was initially set at $150 million, but actual costs ballooned to $350 million due to an unusually severe fire season and inadequate preparation. The auditor emphasized that better planning could have mitigated the financial impact.
Recommendations for Improvement
Clemett outlined several recommendations, including the development of a multi-year budget framework, improved cost-tracking systems, and enhanced coordination with provincial emergency management partners. She also called for regular reporting to the legislature on wildfire spending. The SPSA has accepted the recommendations and pledged to implement changes ahead of the 2027 fire season.
“The SPSA must adopt a more disciplined approach to budgeting and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently,” Clemett said in the report. “This will not only save taxpayer money but also improve response times and outcomes.”
Context and Impact
The 2025 wildfire season was one of the most destructive in Saskatchewan's history, with over 1.2 million hectares burned and thousands of residents evacuated. The SPSA deployed more than 2,000 firefighters and contractors, many from out of province, at significant cost. The auditor's report comes amid growing concerns about climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires across Canada.
Premier Scott Moe's government has faced criticism for underfunding wildfire preparedness in previous years. Opposition parties have called for a public inquiry into the 2025 response. The audit is expected to inform budget discussions for the upcoming fiscal year.
