At the Police Officers Recruitment Fund announcement for Saskatchewan

Remarks by the
Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety

Regina, Saskatchewan
May 27, 2008
As Delivered

Thank you ladies and gentlemen, and especially to our men and women in uniform; it’s great to be here. 

It’s a really encouraging time for me to be here and meet with Minister Hickie [Darryl Hickie, Saskatchewan Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing] to talk about some of our shared concerns and priorities.  The first responsibility of any government is the safety and security of its citizens.  We have demonstrated that with a number of policies that we have brought into play over the last two years.

One message that we would like to make clear is that we believe there is a need for more officers on the street.  I’m sure the men and women in uniform here today would agree. The very presence of officers on the street has a positive effect and we have made a commitment to provide funding for one thousand more RCMP officers across the country.  That’s in addition to the regular amount of recruiting.

We also recognize that there are many communities that have contract policing of various types. We want to assist those municipalities as well and see them have more officers through increased recruiting.

As a government we have acknowledged that everyone in the country has rights, including those who break the law. Some individuals have expressed their concern and have correctly stated that it is just as important to remember the rights of law-abiding citizens and victims of lawbreakers.

This has led to a shift in policy.  We’ve committed a considerable increase in resources to victims’ programs and are focusing on a review of federal laws pertaining to serious crime, repeat offenders, and violent criminals.  We are implementing a number of mandatory provisions to deal with violent crime. It is important that violent repeat offenders be taken off the streets promptly so that our citizens can feel more secure.

While devising our plan to assist provinces and territories with the recruitment of police officers, we looked carefully at issues such as federal-provincial jurisdiction.  Each province and municipality has its unique pressures and its own requirements. Here in Regina you know the needs that are most pertinent to you.  The provincial government works closely with municipalities to determine what those needs are.

Our goal is to provide increased funding for the recruiting, training, and hiring of 2,500 more municipal officers over the next few years. In order to accomplish this, we have set aside $400 million in the budget for the Police Officers Recruitment Fund, to be shared by the provinces on a per capita basis.

I’m pleased to announce that Saskatchewan’s share of $11.7 million will help the province hire more police officers and go to the municipalities in the areas of greatest need based on our shared priorities.  We’ve also tried to allow for maximum flexibility. 

That’s why this is a five-year program.  The province of Saskatchewan can draw upon that fund as needed. If the province has immediate needs it can draw from the fund in the first one or two years, or it can extend that over a longer period with strategic planning.

The key is that all levels of government work together to make sure that our streets and communities are safe and our citizens are protected.

There are criminals involved in the drug trade and organized crime who threaten the safety of our communities. We are hiring more men and women, like those here today, to ensure that our communities are protected and free of such offenders. There is also legislation now in place requiring mandatory jail terms for these individuals

As I look at the men and women in uniform today, I want to extend to you our gratitude for being out there with your colleagues, 24/7.  You are putting yourselves on the front lines of this activity.  You are willing to do things and go places most of us would prefer to avoid. It takes a high level of dedication and professionalism, which is reflected in this institution and other great training facilities, some not far from here. 

We want to thank you and extend our gratitude for choosing this honourable profession of keeping us safe and upholding the law.

Thanks very much for your attendance here today.  Minister [Darryl Hickie, Saskatchewan Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing], thank you for your cooperation.  With the $11.7 million fund I understand you’re projecting to hire up to 120 more officers which is very aggressive and ambitious. Your citizens in this great province will be well served.  Thanks very much for your attention today.