Released on March 14, 2008
Saskatchewan will receive an estimated $11.7 million from the federal government as the province's share of the $400 million Police Officers Recruitment Fund announced in the recent federal budget.
"The Government's most important duty is the protection of Canadians against threats to their safety and security," said Federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. "We are delivering on a key platform commitment and partnering with Saskatchewan to strengthen law enforcement by making funding available to support the recruitment of new front-line police officers."
"We are committed to keeping our election promise to hire an additional 120 police officers over the next four years," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Darryl Hickie said. "I am pleased that the federal government's commitment will support our efforts to improve safety and security for the people of Saskatchewan."
The one-time funding will be available to provinces and territories accepting the federal offer from a trust fund that can be drawn down over the next five years.
"We are enthusiastic about how the assistance from this fund will help us meet the mandate the Premier established for this Ministry," Hickie said. "Adding new police officers will assist in our crime reduction efforts."
Saskatchewan's Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing is responsible for administering the service contract with Public Safety Canada for providing policing services to municipalities across the province.
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For more information, contact:
Judy Orthner
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883
Email: judy.orthner@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-535-2233