Prince Albert Benefits From Investments in Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods

Released on September 12, 2024

The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced over $17 million in new funding for a multi-ministry approach to safe neighbourhoods by adding more police officers, training new officers, and introducing new enforcement tools, while working to ensure social supports are in place and accessible. 

"Everyone in Saskatchewan deserves to feel safe and secure in their communities," Premier Scott Moe said. "One of our priorities as a government is to work with stakeholders and communities to address social disorder concerns in our neighbourhoods, and we plan to achieve this by raising policing levels across the province, implementing new enforcements, and through facilities, such as the Complex Needs Emergency Shelters."

"For the past several months, our government has worked with police and other stakeholders to hear the issues facing residents, businesses and communities surrounding social disorder concerns," Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman said. "Today's investments in the Prince Albert Police Service, the Police College, and Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods is our first step in addressing these complex issues in Saskatchewan." 

New investments include: 

• $11.9 million for about 100 new municipal police officers;
• $2.7 million to double the number of Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) officers from 14 to 28; and
• $2.5 million for the Saskatchewan Police College over the next three years.

Overall, the City of Prince Albert will receive $2.0 million to hire 17 new frontline officers for the Prince Albert Police Service. 

"We are honoured to welcome the Premier and the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety to Prince Albert for this significant announcement," Prince Albert Chief of Police Patrick Nogier said. "The increased funding for municipal police agencies is a critical investment in the future of public safety in our community. This funding will enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Prince Albert Police Service, allowing us to better meet the needs of our residents. With these resources, we will be able to strengthen our operational capabilities, improve community engagement, and ensure that the people of Prince Albert continue to receive the highest standard of service from their Police Service. We are grateful for the province's ongoing support and look forward to advancing our mission to keep Prince Albert safe."

The Government of Saskatchewan will also undertake substantial changes within the justice system to empower police and other enforcement officers and promote the overall safety of business owners and citizens.

The Government of Saskatchewan will:

• Advance new options to ensure municipal bylaws are enforced, including through the introduction of community bylaw court hub models, such as Kindersley's Municipal Bylaw Court;
• Explore ways to ensure traffic courts operate as efficiently as possible and police spend less time prosecuting traffic offences and more time addressing serious crimes; and
• Enhance the Fine Option Program to ensure accountability for all offenders and provide an additional option for those individuals who are unable to pay off tickets and fines.

"Saskatchewan people are increasingly concerned about crime, and we want to empower police to fight it," Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said. "That means police spending less time in Traffic Court, establishing municipal bylaw courts to relieve criminal dockets, and enhancing the Fine Option Program for provincial and bylaw offences to ensure greater accountability for all offenders."

The additional public safety initiatives announced today build upon other initiatives across government, including the Complex Needs Emergency Shelters (CNES) in Saskatoon and Regina. CNES provide medically supported, secure facilities for police to bring people who pose a threat to themselves and others, including in cases where drug and alcohol intoxication are a factor. Since opening, over 135 patients have been brought to these facilities by police, and almost all patients upon discharge have accepted services and supports to help address their specific challenges and care needs.

"Supporting public safety and addressing the impact of addictions on our communities is a high priority for your provincial government," Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod said. "The Complex Needs Emergency Shelters in Saskatoon and Regina provide a medically supported, secure facility for police to bring people who are exhibiting threatening behaviours so that we can help them address their challenges while protecting the community."

The Saskatoon and Regina facilities are staffed 24/7 with clinical counsellors and nurses, with 24/7 on-call physician support and security. Patients are detained by police and admitted to CNES for up to 24 hours or until they are no longer assessed to be a threat to themselves and others under The Summary Offences Procedure Act. Upon discharge, patients are transported to a different location to receive supports, such as mental health and addictions services or community supports at pharmacies, shelters and clinics. The Regina CNES opened on July 30 and Saskatoon opened on August 6 of this year.

-30-