The support for people who had to flee from their homes during the forest fires in northern Saskatchewan continues.
First Nations Bank of Canada is shelling out $10,000 for food hampers, but the contribution is doubling thanks to PotashCorp and Kitsaki Management.
Keith Martell is the CEO of the First Nations Bank and he says they will also helping out customers affected by the fires by relaxing payment requirements.
“If they need to miss a payment and catch up in the future, we’ll be lenient on that and we’ll make sure that they get the attention they need,” he says. “So, as they’re faced with the realities of getting back home and getting everything back — but also getting their finances back in order — we’ll make sure we’re there to help them.”
More information can be found at fnbc.ca.
Meantime, Access Communications is crediting the cable and Internet bills of roughly 1,500 La Ronge and Air Ronge customers for one month.
District manager Martin Smith says people returning from the recent wildfire-related evacuation already have enough on their minds.
“Well, we know that our customers have a lot to deal with right now,” he says. “So we wanted to give them one less thing to worry about and credit everyone’s account for one month.”
Smith says the TV networks agreed to waive charges in support of fire evacuees. Cable providers are charged per customer from the networks for televising their services.
Any customers with questions are encouraged to call the Access Communications Customer Care Centre at 1-866-363-2225.
Meanwhile, La Ronge Mayor Thomas Sierzycki has provided the following summary on Facebook about other assistance available for those affected by the evacuations:
Town of La Ronge: July utilities bills will be credited for those who pay monthly (306-425-2066).
SaskPower (1-888-757-6937), SaskTel (1-800-727-5835), and SaskEnergy (1-800-567-8899) will credit 1 month fixed service delivery. They will also waive late fees and not proceed with collection or disconnection.
SGI (1-800-667-9868) plates and license will not expire due to non-payment or if you were unable to renew.
PST Remittance for businesses: relief from penalty and interest charges for filing late PST Returns (1-800-667-6102)
Sask. Housing Corporation (La Ronge Housing Authority): Credit for July rent towards August (1-306-787-3610)