A town meeting for Waskesiu residents was convened Sept. 1 /2002 to bring residents and townsite up to date with the progress of SOS.

Wayne Simpson

Herve Langlois

Manley McLachlan

Herve Langlois chaired the meeting along with Wayne Simpson from Prince Albert, and Manley McLachlan from Regina . Herve gave an overview of the August 28th meeting held in Saskatoon with Mr. Gaby Fortin, Director General, Parks Canada's western region, which was intended as an information meeting with the primary focus being on the science issues related to the spruce budworm

Attendees included members of the Community Council, two representatives each of the permanent residents and SOS, and several local Parks Canada staff, headed by Superintendent Morin.  Senator Herb Sparrow from North Battleford also attended on his own initiative. Speakers included Joe Meating, Bio-Forest;Jan Volney, Canadian Forest Service; Rory McIntosh and Al Willcocks, Serm: and Jeff Weir,local parks Canadian warden.

For a full, report on the synopsis of the meeting August 28th CLICK HERE

The past week several high level government officials were visited and presented with briefs. All parties involved felt this was a nonpartisan issue and would be treated as such. A most senior cabinet official, felt that indeed it was a most serious issue and would be addressed.

The committe next pointed out defoliation maps by the experts in spruce budworm . Bio-Forest are considered the experts in Canada in spruce budworm .

OVER VIEW OF 2002 SPRUCE BUDWORM DEFOLIATED AREAS

LENGEND FOR DEFOLIATION

We learned that Waskesiu was the epicenter of the largest outbreak of spruce budworm that exists presently in Canada. Areas marked in red represented over 70% defoliation. Areas that were once infected ,such as the Nipawin, Candle Lake and the Hudson Bay area are now relatively free from spruce budworm devastation.

As was confirmed by the experts , spraying is effective and works.

Both SERM and Bio-Forest had great concern as to the stance taken by Parks Canada. They are in agreement with SOS that the out break of spruce budworm needs to be controlled by spraying the safe organic pesticide BtK.

At the standing room only, questions were fielded by the committe as to the war chest being assembled. Lawyers have been consulted and are in the wings if deemed necessary. Most feel that a trip to Ottawa will have to be entertained if the issue is not resolved soon.