Saskatchewan marked a milestone Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new memorial honouring protective services personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The Saskatchewan Protective Services Memorial, located on Memorial Way southwest of the Legislature Building, will serve as a permanent site for families, colleagues, and the public to pay tribute to fallen first responders and other protective services workers.
“The monument will provide a meaningful gathering place for families, friends, colleagues and the public to honour and remember lives lost, as well as organizations to hold their own ceremonies,” said Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod. “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to support this monument and the sacrifices it represents.”
The project, led by the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, is expected to cost approximately $900,000, including a $100,000 contribution from WorkSafe Saskatchewan, a partnership between the Workers’ Compensation Board and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
“While the monument will serve as an important and permanent reminder of those who fell in the line of duty while serving Saskatchewan, it should also serve as an important reminder that every workplace injury is preventable,” said Phil Germain, CEO of the Workers’ Compensation Board.
The memorial will feature an image of the Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal, a “helping hands” structure, and a commemorative message. A working group of first responders and public service organizations selected the design.
The working group will initially identify 80 names to appear on the monument, with space to add more over time. The names will include individuals from fire services, police, emergency medical services, federal and provincial corrections, victim services, mobile crisis services, and the Canadian Armed Forces, dating back to the early 1900s.
Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2026.