Fort McMurray Fire:
Residents of Fort McMurray merit a high quality of excellence during their brave absence related to the recent tragic inferno.
It was truly a strong communication of danger to all people residing near the woodlands. However, with no loss of life, success and good fortune reigned in their favour.
The north is no stranger to forest fires, we all remember the Slave Lake fire of 2011, when all people were driven from their homes. We must never forget the floods of High River.
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In the museum of Canadian history, I refer to the grave major Canadian disasters that resulted in life and property loss. My thoughts return to two world wars, with their huge loss of life. My thoughts return to the influenza outbreak in 1918 which claimed more lives than two world war conflicts.
I think about the Dirty ’30s and the Regina riot caused by men working for a mere 20 cents per day in relief camps, and farmers were paid thirty cents per bushel for wheat and eight cents per bushel for barley.
James Gardiner was premier of Saskatchewan, and R.B. Bennet was prime minister of Canada. I think of men riding in boxcars to Ottawa wanting a meeting with the prime minister regarding depressed living standards. However, they were stopped in Regina by the RCMP and a huge riot ensued, with a minor loss of life.
During the Dirty ’30s, money was scarce and jobs were nonexistent, teachers’ salaries were $300 a year and kids dropped out from school at the age of 14. Residential schools were a disaster.
It is to be hoped and prayed that Fort McMurray will recover.
John Seierstad
Tisdale, Sask.
