Proposed Saskatchewan legislation to green light the controlled burning of derelict buildings is not sitting well with the province’s firefighters.
The government is proposing a pilot project to give municipalities the power to dispose of its old buildings.
However, the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs is concerned that burning these old buildings poses health and safety risks. Many of the buildings have lead-based paint, asbestos and other toxins.
The release of these substances into the air poses a health risk to firefighters and surrounding communities. The firefighters want the government to rethink its proposals in consultation with firefighters.
The Sask NDP has raised its concern that the government put the proposal forward without consulting with firefighters. The opposition agrees “that municipalities need support to safely dispose of derelict buildings,” but to address this “it needs to be done responsibly, ensuring that firefighters and communities are safe,” says the Saskatchewan NDP Municipal Affairs Critic.
The government sees the proposal as a training exercise for volunteer firefighters and indicates there will be more consultation before implementation.
