The law firm who studied the possibility of bringing together a collective appeal against the government of Saskatchewan for its management of forest fires will not go ahead, believing that legal proceedings could last decades.
Procido LLP organized on July 7 an information webinar on the procedure for collective appeal which had been requested by residents of communities ravaged by forest fires.
The law firm then told participants that he would decide within two weeks if he would go ahead with collective action.
Chad Eggerman, founding partner of Procido LLP, explained in an email sent to CBC/Radio-Canada that the cabinet carried out an initial legal analysis based in particular on calls, emails, messages and meetings, and examined the relevant jurisprudence.
We have determined that this case may not lend itself to a collective appeal likely to be resolved within a reasonable time.
The assessment of the firm suggests, according to him, that the case would be a long and tedious process, which can last decades
.
The lawyer said that, despite this decision, his cabinet recognizes that some people may need legal assistance in connection with forest fires and that he was ready to have discussions on this subject.
We will not give up
Rhonda Werbicki, a resident of Denare Beach who lost her house in June in the Wolf forest fire, said he was not surprised by the firm’s decision.
It is a huge risk for the law firm and it represents a lot of time. They do all this work without any guarantee of payment
she said.
Rhonda Werbicki, who lived for 26 years in the same house in Denare Beach, lost her property in the Wolf forest fire.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jeremy Warren
For her, the idea of collective action was not only to receive financial compensation, but also, to obtain explanations.
I have the impression that Scott Moe’s reaction was horrible and that there was no justice for that.
Rhonda Werbicki assures that, despite the decision of the law firm, many people have not given up requesting accounts and that they constantly write to the government.
We will not give up
she says.
Rhonda Werbicki says she voted for the Saskatchewanese party for a long time, but she believes that the way Scott Moe managed the forest fires this season changes the game.
I voted for his party. I will never do it again and I know that it is the feeling of many people.
While forest fires continue to burn in the north of the province, Rhonda Werbicki wants the provincial government to manage the situation better.
We don’t want it to happen again. We want preventive measures to be taken.
With the information of Aliyah Marko-Omene and Alexander Quon
