MP calls on Ottawa to fast-track claims for Bindloss fire victims

By Gillian Slade on September 13, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

It is time for the federal government to acknowledge the stress put on the farmers and ranchers of Bindloss as a result of a fire caused by CFB Suffield a year ago and process their claims, says the MP for the area.

“Government wheels turn very slowly sometimes and we are dealing with small producers, and it is a massive issue to them. This is dollars and cents that they have lost and we need capital in order to keep some of these farms and ranches going,” said Kevin Sorenson MP.

What has to be kept in mind is that those affected are not like “big business” that can be wrapped up in “process” for years, he said.

“We expect that this will be done much more quickly. It is almost an emergency for some of these claimants.”

On Sept. 11, 2017 a fire spread from CFB Suffield, engulfing 220 square kilometres on the base, plus another 58 square kilometres beyond. By the time the fire was out, more than 160 head of cattle had either died in the blaze or had to be euthanized because they were so badly burned.

Suffield acknowledged the fire began after a military operation to dispose of an undetonated explosive. A Board of Inquiry made 17 recommendations which were endorsed by CFB Suffield last December. That month a claims adjuster was contracted to assess claims.

A total of 15 claims related to the fire had been submitted by July 20, 2018, and two have been settled, according to a document from the commander at CFB Suffield to those affected. Seven claimants have been offered interim payments.

Those willing to accept an interim payment are asked to sign a release promising to keep all aspects confidential and agree to a clawback in future if considered appropriate, said Ivan Schlaht.

A group of six claimants told the News last Friday there has been a physical and mental health toll on victims. They also said they have lost faith in the adjuster and feel he does not understand the impact of the loss of grazing land nor time it will need to recover. Meanwhile, ranchers are struggling to prevent overgrazing on land that was not burned.

“You feel he is trying to frustrate you,” said Darrel Swenson.

Sorenson said he, together with Medicine Hat MP Glen Motz, has already had one meeting with the minister of defense.

“Next week I will be again talking to the minister, if I can get a meeting with him, and I will bring this up. This is going on and on,” said Sorenson. “That is my commitment. I will talk to the minister.”

The department of National Defence declined an interview request made by the News.

In an email they said they are “committed to resolving as quickly as possible” any outstanding claims.

“These claims are complex, requiring additional evidence and analysis, and we have contracted an adjuster to assist in gathering the information needed to complete the necessary assessments,” said Maj. Doug Keirstead, public affairs officer. “In the meantime, to alleviate the financial burden on some claimants, we have offered interim payments and will consider the possibility of offering more interim payments before final settlement of the claims.”

Keirstead noted the department’s responsibility to complete a thorough review of all claims against the Crown to ensure that any offer of settlement is based on “complete evidence of losses”.

Swenson says there is a rumour among the military that those affected are “making a huge windfall on this, and that is simply not the case.”

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