Regina, SK–Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan Leader Rose Buscholl is calling for the disbanding of the Saskatchewan Marshals service.
“For starters, the SK Party Premier Scott Moe government just wasted millions starting it up and the public will now be on the hook for $20 million a year just to maintain it,” stated Buscholl. “That is millions that can’t be spent on actual necessities like healthcare and education. Instead, it is going to an unneeded Premier Moe vanity project.”
The Marshals Service was announced during the Throne Speech in 2022. The province said the goal is to work with RCMP and municipal police forces to enhance law enforcement across Saskatchewan. The province earmarked about $14 million for establishing the marshal service, with hopes of having it operational by 2026. Once it’s up and running it will receive an annual budget of $20 million.
However, there has been growing opposition to the Service. Citing its redundancy to the overlapping of functions of the RCMP, many are referring to it as a waste of money at best, and a power grab by the sitting SK Party government and Premier Scott Moe at worst.
“The Marshals Service as structured reports only to the government which means there is no public or independent oversight monitoring its actions,” continued Buscholl. “This is unacceptable and runs counter to separation of powers. Why does this government think it needs its own police force answering only to them? We should be genuinely concerned.”
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