In a scenario where there are no unforeseen expenditures from other city departments, the Saskatoon police budget is set to command a quarter of the city’s total expenditure over the next two years. City Council has overwhelmingly agreed to boost the police budget by 8.62 percent in the upcoming year and 6.16 percent in 2027, further solidifying its position as the largest expense for the city.
This increase will bring the police budget share to 25 percent, placing Saskatoon among the highest in Canada in terms of police budget allocation for larger cities, comparable to Winnipeg’s longstanding practice of dedicating around a quarter of its budget to policing. The total police expenditure will see an increase to $158 million next year and $167.8 million in 2027. In contrast, Regina plans to allocate $131 million to its police force next year, representing about 19 percent of its budget.
Councilors Robert Pearce and Randy Donauer have expressed strong support for the budget increase, emphasizing the community’s call for enhanced safety measures. However, new council members Kathryn MacDonald and Jasmin Parker dissented, with Parker noting concerns about the escalating investment in the police force without a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
Police Chief Cam McBride has indicated readiness for a value-for-money audit if supported by the council and acknowledged the budget’s expected fluctuations as a significant portion of the city’s spending. The budget proposal includes provisions for hiring 49 additional staff over the next two years to address the increasing workload on the police force due to a 20 percent surge in calls since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.
McBride highlighted recruitment challenges compounded by factors such as negative portrayal of police on social media. The budget also accounts for 37 new officers funded by the province, with plans to hire the remaining positions in the coming years. Additionally, there are considerations for introducing dedicated transit police, although recruitment for such roles may pose significant challenges.
In parallel, the council unanimously approved budget increments for the library, with planned increases of 4.9 percent in the upcoming year and 6.4 percent in 2027 coinciding with the opening of a new central library. The ongoing budget discussions also highlighted various community concerns, from environmental issues to affordable housing initiatives. Notably, the city’s homeless count revealed a rise to 1,931 individuals from last year’s 1,499, signaling a pressing need for comprehensive social support measures.
As budget deliberations continue, the proposed tax hikes stand at 7.43 percent for the upcoming year and 5.92 percent in 2027, underlining the nuanced financial landscape shaping Saskatoon’s future.