The Saskatchewan government is committing more than $1 billion in the 2025-26 budget toward policing, corrections, justice, and public safety initiatives in an effort to build safer communities across the province.
The funding package includes $665 million for the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, $271 million for the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, $118.9 million for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), and $9.1 million for the Saskatchewan Firearms Office (SFO).
"Public safety continues to be a top priority for our government, which is reflected through investments in Budget 2025-26," said Tim McLeod, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety and Justice and Attorney General. "These investments will help create safer communities for everyone in Saskatchewan."
Over the past two fiscal years, the government says it has committed $2 billion to public safety, including $699.4 million to support policing and community safety, and more than $518 million to enhance access to justice services.
Policing and Enforcement Expansions
Included in this year’s budget is $261 million to support RCMP operations across the province, with $23.7 million earmarked for the First Nations Policing Program.
The government is also following through on previous commitments, including $6 million toward hiring 100 new municipal police officers, $2.7 million for 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) personnel, and $1.6 million to expand training capacity at the Saskatchewan Police College.
An additional $3.6 million will fund 50 new officers for the Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS), expected to be operational within months—one year ahead of schedule. The SMS will focus on gang activity, illegal drugs and weapons, and apprehending high-risk offenders.
Border security efforts will also receive a boost, with $1.5 million allocated for increased roadway patrols and enforcement. Six new weigh-scale operators and seven prisoner transport sheriffs are being hired to increase capacity and relieve frontline RCMP officers.
Court System Modernization
The budget also outlines investments to improve accessibility and efficiency in the justice system. Funding includes $665,000 for the expansion of traffic safety courts and $447,000 for the development of municipal bylaw court hubs.
Public Prosecutions will receive $822,000 to support the integration of body-worn camera footage into the justice process, in line with camera use expansion by the RCMP and Saskatoon Police Service.
The province is continuing its Court Modernization Project with $3.38 million for enhanced technology, infrastructure upgrades, and digital scheduling systems.
Corrections and Community Reintegration
To support correctional staff, improve safety, and increase capacity, the province is investing $11.7 million to help open the new Saskatoon Correctional Centre expansion.
Additional investments will expand capacity for women in the correctional system, including increased funding for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan to support community reintegration for female offenders.
Another $1.1 million is being provided for the province’s Electronic Monitoring Program to improve real-time supervision of offenders living in the community.
Interpersonal Violence and Emergency Services
The government has allocated $31.7 million for interpersonal violence programs and services. This includes $328,000 for second-stage housing and an additional $720,000 to support community-based organizations assisting individuals and families impacted by violence and abuse.
The SPSA will continue its four-year plan to purchase repurposed airtankers for wildfire response and other emergencies.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Firearms Office will receive $9.1 million, with $569,000 going toward the launch of the Saskatchewan Ballistics Laboratory, scheduled to open this fall. The lab will support criminal investigations involving firearms.
"Over the last two years we have improved police accountability, built community partnerships and invested in courtroom modernization," McLeod said. "Our government is following through on our ongoing commitment to increase access to justice services across the province for the benefit of all Saskatchewan individuals, families and communities."