Ahead of the federal election, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association is calling for funding and resources for RCMP and emergency services, considering the decades of underfunding for social housing and a slow reaction to the burgeoning health crisis.

SUMA President Randy Goulden says many municipalities are facing serious challenges to community safety and well-being due to provincial and federal government policies, which then negatively affects a municipality’s ability to attract people to live, work and visit.
She points to mental health and addictions as a major issue in Saskatchewan and across the country, and homelessness seeing a large upsurge.

SUMA is recommending the federal government amend the Canada Health Act to adequately address mental health issues and to provide support and leadership for governments to better address these massive social issues.

The provincial association is recommending more RCMP officers and substantial investments in RCMP services, in particular to address organized crime and gangs bringing drugs into the country. Investment in non-market and affordable housing is also on SUMA’s list.