The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities has identified four key areas of focus for the next provincial government to address.
SARM's 2024 Provincial Election Priorities include Infrastructure, Health, Policing and Crime, and Agriculture.
SARM wants to see increased funding for rural roads and bridges. They note that these pieces of infrastructure are not only the lifeline for thousands of municipal residents who travel them daily; they also help drive our rural economy by supporting oil and gas, agriculture, mining, and other natural resource sectors. Without further aid, the roads and bridges in rural Saskatchewan will continue to deteriorate with significant economic and social consequences.
Acting President of SARM Bill Huber says crime is on the rise across the province, but rural areas face unique challenges due to Saskatchewan's vast geographical spread.
He says Rural Saskatchewan continues to grapple with a wide range of issues including property crimes, adding that farmers often experience theft of fuel, machinery, and parts, resulting in both financial losses and increased insurance premiums.
Huber notes that while crime is on the rise across the province, rural areas face unique challenges due to Saskatchewan's vast geographical spread.
According to Statistics Canada’s most recent report on rural crime in 2021, Saskatchewan had the highest crime severity index for rural offences.
He points out that with fewer police detachments covering larger regions, response times can stretch between 30 minutes to an hour. This leaves rural properties vulnerable, becoming prime targets for offenders.
RCMP officers must cover long distances to track down offenders and recover stolen items, in addition to preparing extensive paperwork for court cases.
He notes something else we need to see is bail reform.
"Despite the efforts of the RCMP, penalties for crimes like theft and vandalism tend to be minimal, often leading to repeat offenses, as current fines and convictions do little to deter reoffending.
He says overall SARM continues to push the provincial government for sustained support in increasing police staffing, imposing tougher penalties, and developing new initiatives to enhance collaboration between officers and communities. We also call for increased efforts to address the root causes of crime, such as issues stemming from mental health and addictions.
Other key priorities for SARM include health care and agriculture.