Sask. introduces memorial emblem to honour public safety workers

Sask. is creating a memorial emblem to honour public safety personnel who die in the line of duty, complementing a planned memorial.

The provincial government has introduced a memorial emblem to honour public safety personnel who have lost their lives while in the line of duty.

Named the Saskatchewan Memorial Emblem, the provincial award can be worn by a family member or designated recipient and will comprise of a medallion, scroll, and miniature pin, according to the province.

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The province will engage with stakeholders on the nomination process and eligibility criteria, with names of the fallen to be recorded in a Registrar and etched on the Saskatchewan Protective Services Memorial in the Legislative Precinct.

“An extraordinary debt of gratitude is owed to all of our public safety personnel,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said in the release, noting that the emblem complements the recently announced protective services memorial at the legislative grounds.

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The Saskatchewan NDP, however, criticized Tuesday’s announcement, saying that it should not have taken this long.

The NDP claimed that McLeod initially opted for a monument, but “buckled under pressure and flip flopped,” on Tuesday, as dozens of public safety personnel joined the legislature to pressure the Sask. Party to adopt the medal.

“Families who’ve lost loved ones in the line of duty deserve personal recognition from the province in a medal,” NDP MLA Nicole Sarauer said in a news release. “Nothing less will do.”