Sask. allocates $1.1 billion to support community safety initiatives

Police lights are seen in this file photo.

During this week’s budget speech at the legislature, Finance Minister Jim Reiter highlighted the importance of safety.

“Everyone in Saskatchewan should feel safe in their community,” he said, noting the budget will allow for a greater presence of law enforcement to do just that.

Community safety initiatives in this year’s budget saw a funding increase of 8.9 per cent or $89.9 million from the previous budget, for a total of $1.1 billion.

The funding will support previously announced commitments, including the hiring of about 100 new municipal police officers and 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) personnel to reduce crime by targeting nuisance properties.

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As part of the budget, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety will receive $784 million, with $274 million allocated to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General and $119 million going towards the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA).

“The safety of our communities also extends to protection and support during emergencies such as wildfires and floods,” Reiter said, noting the SPSA funding will allow the organization to continue its plan to buy four repurposed air tankers.

The Saskatchewan Police College will receive funding to train more officers in the province.

The budget also sees an increase in funding to RCMP operations, including the RCMP First Nations Policing Program.

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service will receive an additional $4 million – which will go towards hiring 50 officers.

According to the province, the Marshals Service, intended to support RCMP and municipal services, is expected to become operational in the coming months.

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The enhanced law enforcement presence extends to the U.S. border, with the province vowing to “work in partnership with provincial policing services and federal agencies to boost law enforcement’s presence near the border.”

As well, the budget provides funding to improve safety for correctional staff, offenders, and the public, addressing capacity issues at correctional facilities.

This funding will support the expansion of the Saskatoon Correctional Centre, as well as support a capacity expansion for women in the correctional system.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan is also receiving increased funding to support efforts to reintegrate female offenders back into their communities.

Interpersonal violence programs and services, including second stage housing, will receive $32 million in funding.

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The province says the budget will allow for the development of municipal bylaw hubs in Fort Qu’Appelle and Rosthern, with the goal of reducing the strain on Saskatchewan’s court system.

According to the province, there will also be initiatives to reduce the amount of time police need to spend in court, so they can spend more time on policing duties in their communities.