Construction to begin on new memorial in Regina to honour first responders

A new memorial near the legislative building will honour protective services personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The grounds of the Saskatchewan Legislature will soon by home to a new memorial meant to honour first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Saskatchewan Protective Services Memorial was announced by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency as a permanent reminder that sacrifices made by police officers, firefighters, EMS, Canadian Armed Forces members, and others must never be forgotten.

During a sod turning ceremony on Monday, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod said the memorial is a good way to provide a space for everyone to honour those who have lost their lives while serving.

“Our protective services personnel are [a] critical component of our communities. They’re the ones that are running into the face of danger when the rest of us are running away from it,” he said.

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The memorial will be located on Memorial Way on the west side of the legislative building, a centralized location for public safety responders to hold their annual memorial services.

It will feature an image of the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal, a “helping hands” structure, and a commemorative message, with 80 names to appear on the monument, according to the province.

The monument will cost about $900,000, which includes a $100,000 contribution from WorkSafe Saskatchewan, with construction expected to be completed next year.