The Saskatchewan government is allocating $740 million for the Ministry of Community Safety in the 2026-27 provincial budget, the finance minister announced Wednesday.
Some of the spending reinforces previous announcements while some is for new initiatives.
Community Safety Minister Michael Weger said “This budget invests in additional officers and stronger collaboration between police services and their communities.”
Here’s what you need to know about public safety funding in this year’s budget.
The province is committing $310 million for RCMP operations, an increase of $47.7 million along with $26 million for First Nations policing initiatives.
Weger said the allocation shows the province is committed to “fully” funding the RCMP while working to address challenges.
“We’re working with the RCMP to fill the spaces, fill the gaps in our province that the RCMP currently have.”
The minister said community safety officers are making a positive impact in many First Nations communities. He said the province will look to expand the program.
“I’m looking forward to actually meeting with some community safety officers on First Nations and seeing what they do every day and how we can keep building on that program,” said Weger.
Randy Goulden, president of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) said public safety is a major priority for local governments.
She welcomed the increase in RCMP funding, but added concerns remain about the “scarcity” of RCMP coverage in some communities.
“We are really looking forward to sitting down with provincial government, to having more discussions on how we can grow that,” she said.
The government is continuing to expand the provincial marshal service, with $4.8 million budgeted to hire more officers.
The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol will receive $713,000 to conduct more highway stops, with the goal to stem the flow of illicit drugs.
The province is also budgeting $190,000 to support the Small Town and Rural Policing Grant program. An additional $583,000 is being added to the Municipal Police Grant Program.
Hospital security
The province is committing $1.9 million to establish Hospital Public Safety Teams in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
The new teams will provide additional security at hospitals while coordinating with local police.
The province said the teams are being established in response to rising violence and disruptive behaviour.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the new security teams will compliment recent security enhancements like metal detectors.
He described the funding as “absolutely important” and said health care facilities “need to absolutely be a place that are free of weapons, that are free of violence.”
Community supports
The budget is allocating $2.7 million for two complex needs facilitates in Prince Albert and North Battleford. The facilities — staffed by healthcare professionals — aim to connect people dealing with mental health and addictions issues with treatment and support.
The Safer Neighbourhood and Communities Initiative (SCAN) is getting $6 million in funding, part of the $11.9 million announced in 2024 to hire 100 new municipal officers.
Another $2 million is being allocated to expand and create stronger electronic monitoring in the province.
Weger said SCAN officers handling problems like nuisance properties frees up local police for more important work.
“They’re really allowing our trained police officers in the City of Regina, City of Saskatoon and other larger cities to do the job that they train to do, which is reactive and proactive policing,” he said.
Public Safety Agency support
Wednesday’s budget has outlined $140 million for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA). This includes a $21.5 million increase for four repurposed water bombers over the next four years.
The first airtanker was delivered in 2025 with the second one set to arrive this year.
The agency was heavily criticized by many northerners for its response to last summer’s wildfires.
“Hopefully we don’t have the kind of year we did last year, but if we did, we will no doubt respond,” Finance Minister Jim Reiter said when asked about SPSA funding.
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