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CBC
22-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Saskatoon law firm decides against class-action suit for residents who lost homes to wildfires
Social Sharing A Saskatoon law firm that was exploring the possibility of a class-action lawsuit against the provincial government for residents who lost their homes to wildfires in northern Saskatchewan has decided against pursuing it. On July 7, Procido LLP held a webinar for what was expected to be five or six people to provide information about the class-action process. Instead, more than 100 people showed up to share their stories. The law firm told attendees it would make a decision in two weeks about whether or not to proceed with the class-action. The firm conducted an initial legal analysis based on calls, emails, messages and meetings, and reviewed relevant case law and applicable registration, Chad Eggerman, founding partner at Procido LLP, told CBC in an email Tuesday. "We have determined this matter may not lend itself well to a class action that could be resolved in a reasonable time frame," he said, adding that the evaluation suggested the case would be a "long, drawn-out process, potentially lasting decades." Eggerman said that despite the decision, the law firm recognizes there are people who may require legal assistance in relation to the wildfires and is open to those conversations. 'We're not going anywhere': Denare Beach resident Rhonda Werbicki, who lost her house and garage to the Wolf fire in Denare Beach in June, said she found out by email that the class action would not be proceeding. She said the decision didn't surpise her. "I think that is a huge risk to the law firm and like a huge amount of time, you know, like, they're putting in all this work with no guarantee of even any payment," Werbicki said. Werbicki said the class action wasn't just about compensation — she and many others were looking for answers. "I just feel like Scott Moe's response has been … it's just been terrible and I just feel like there's just been no justice for that," she said. Despite the law firm's decision, Werbicki said many of the registrants have not given up their push for accountability from the government. "There's definitely like a bunch of us that are still writing his office constantly. Like we're not going anywhere and I don't know if he realizes that, " she said. Werbicki said she has been a long-time Sask. Party voter, but the way Scott Moe has handled the wildfires this season has changed that. "I think that he's burned a lot of bridges," she said. "I voted for his party. I will never do that again … and I know that sentiment from a lot of people." As new fires start to tear their way through the province's north, Werbicki said she hopes to see better management from the province this time around. She pointed to the Muskeg Fire in the Beauval area, where "there was more response" from the government. "Maybe there was a lesson learned in this," said Werbicki.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Saskatoon law firm considers class action against province over poor wildfire response
A Saskatoon law firm says it's considering launching a class action lawsuit against the province for its failure to adequately respond to the devastating wildfires that displaced approximately 20,000 people last month. In a news release last week, Procido LLP said it's 'evaluating the viability of a negligence claim' against the Saskatchewan government, alleging it 'may have failed in its duty to protect the people and property of the north' by failing to act with sufficient resources and urgency. Procido founding partner Chad Eggerman told CTV News he has a family cabin in Narrow Hills Provincial Park, which was decimated by the Shoe Fire — a blaze that grew to be the province's largest. Chad Eggerman Procido LLP founding partner Chad Eggerman. (Stacey Hein / CTV News) 'It seemed like it wasn't really addressed very quickly, or at all, by the provincial government, who are responsible for forest fire fighting in northern Saskatchewan,' he said. 'And it got bigger, and bigger, and eventually it connected with another fire and became completely uncontrollable. The whole time I was watching it, it seemed like there was just no resources to contain or control it.' Eggerman says he felt for the firefighters stationed at the provincial fire base in Narrow Hills, just a few hundred metres from his cabin. 'I feel for them, because they were totally under resourced,' he said. 'They had no resources to fight any fires, so the folks that were in the forest fire fighting base just left, and the just burnt.' Eggerman says at that point it became clear to him there was 'a massive lack of resources' and insufficient planning in place. Procido says its early findings suggest only five of the province's 10 water bombers were operating during the crisis. The law firm alleges rural municipalities in the path of growing wildfires were unable to issue emergency alerts because no one with the local government had authority from the province to do so. It also pointed to statements from residents of East Trout Lake, who say they were told by the public safety agency they were in no immediate danger, when they knew the fire was fast approaching. East Trout Lake subsequently 'burnt to the ground,' says Procido. Procido says it's possible negligence from the Saskatchewan government may have also led to greater damages in Manitoba, particularly in the Flin Flon area and on Lake Athapapuskow. 'Would the fires have been contained and extinguished faster if First Nations located in Northern Saskatchewan had the authority and resources to undertake firefighting duties?' The law firm says the 'material failures of the provincial government … may constitute negligence and raise serious concerns about the government preparedness and ability to maintain public safety and order.' The list of affected parties is long, says Procido. The wildfires impacted property owners, First Nations who lost traditional harvesting lands, mining companies that suspended operations, trucking companies, tourism operators, and evacuees, who were unable to work while sheltered away from their homes and belongings. CTV News contacted the province to ask about the potential lawsuit, but it declined to comment. 'The Government of Saskatchewan has not been served with any claims related to this matter,' a spokesperson for the executive council said in an email. 'As this regards a hypothetical court matter, the province has no further comment to provide at this time.' In the meantime, Procido is holding a webinar on July 7 to make its case to prospective plaintiffs. It remains to be seen if a lawsuit will materialize. -With files from Stacey Hein
Global News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Saskatchewan government faces potential legal action over wildfire efforts
The law firm Procido LLP is evaluating the viability of a negligence claim against the Government of Saskatchewan. It claims the government may have failed to protect the people and property of the north by not acting with urgency or having sufficient resources available to act. Procido LLP said early findings suggest only five of the province's 10 water bombers were operational during the crisis. It claims a provincial firefighting base in Narrow Hills Provincial Park was destroyed due to inadequate resourcing. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Procido also said rural municipalities trying to issue emergency alerts were not able to, because nobody 'had the authority from the province' to do so. It said the Government of Saskatchewan issued an evacuation order and mistakenly included the City of Prince Albert. Story continues below advertisement Residents of places like East Trout Lake, which was burnt to the ground, were told by the province they 'were in no immediate danger.' The group also adds that the potential negligence may have caused damages in Manitoba, like in the Flin Flon area. Procido is hosting a live webinar on Monday to explore the potential for a class action lawsuit against the government for negligence and damages. It welcomes people wanting to get involved to attend. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency said it was not aware of any lawsuit during an SPSA update Wednesday.
