Labatt Breweries providing drinking water to evacuees

REGINA – Labatt Breweries of Canada is supplying displaced evacuees from the Northern Saskatchewan wildfires with water.

The brewer – long known for their beer – is switching gears and delivering 2,016 cases or 48,000 cans of emergency drinking water to residents and firefighters affected by the fires in Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.

The first trucks loaded with water will arrive in Cold Lake, Alberta on Wednesday and Labatt’s is coordinating with the three provinces on where shipments should go.

READ MORE: Complete Saskatchewan wildfire coverage

“When we learn of a need like this one, we’re ready to deliver emergency drinking water instead of beer. Labatt and its employees are pleased to be able to help out during this very challenging time for everyone affected by the wild fires in Saskatchewan, B.C. and Alberta, said Charlie Angelakos, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Labatt.

“We want everyone in the area to know that our thoughts are with them as they seek safety and return the area to normal.”

Labatt’s established the disaster relief program in 2012 specifically to provide safe drinking water for those in need.

“We have been around for a long time and I think it is important for us to be there for our communities and support them any way we can”, added Briar Well, Manager of Corporate Affairs of Labatt Breweries of Canada.

This is the company’s third donation under its disaster relief program. In the summers of 2013 and 2014 the company donated drinking water to Alberta and Manitoba respectively while they were experiencing flooding.