Saskatchewan NDP promises to hire 100 police officers instead of marshals

REGINA — Saskatchewan New Democratic Leader Carla Beck promised more police officers on the campaign trail Monday, while the Saskatchewan Party’s Scott Moe offered some health-care help.

Beck told reporters in Regina an NDP government would hire 100 Mounties and municipal police officers if elected on Oct. 28.

She said the plan includes $10 million for more boots on the ground and another $10 million for addictions treatment and mental health services.

Beck said the money would come from redirecting funds from the incumbent Saskatchewan Party’s marshals service, which has been pegged to cost $20 million a year once operational.

“I’ve heard from so many families who are scared to send their kids down to the corner store after dark, people who are scared to walk their dogs, seniors who are afraid in their houses and people in rural communities who are concerned about the long and growing wait times to respond to RCMP calls,” Beck said.

“It’s time for change. You deserve to feel safe in your own home and in your own community.”

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Saskatchewan’s crime rate increased this past year and has been ranked the worst in the country for 25 straight years according to statistics from the Canadian Centre for Justice.

Moe has introduced a new police force, known as the marshals service, to work with RCMP and reduce crime.

The service has been criticized by some municipal leaders and the union representing Mounties for being a waste of money. They say the money would be better spent on existing policing.

Earlier this summer, Moe announced $17 million to hire 100 municipal police officers, create safer communities and expedite police training.

In Regina on Monday, Moe announced a re-elected Saskatchewan Party government would make it easier for people to access fertility treatments and cancer testing.

He said he would introduce a 50 per cent refundable tax credit — up to $10,000 — to help cover the cost of a first fertility treatment.

“We want to make it more affordable for women, for couples and for families who may be in need of fertility treatments to start and grow their families right here in our province,” Moe said.

His party would also make it easier to screen for cervical cancer by allowing women 25 to 69 to have self-screening tests for the human papillomavirus infection, or HPV.

Since 2020, the NDP has pushed Moe in the legislature to cover some of the costs for fertility treatments.

Candidate Aleana Young said in a news release she was heckled and dismissed by Saskatchewan Party members when she raised the issue in the assembly.

Moe said Young is only making accusations.

“We can quibble about the timelines on when this is being brought forward, but the important thing is that it is a commitment by this (Saskatchewan Party),” he said.

The NDP has promised to cover the first round of in vitro fertilization treatment for families.