(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Public safety fund

Prince Albert city council proceeds cautiously with public safety fund

Jan 13, 2026 | 2:09 PM

An idea to create a public safety fund that would allow donations that help pay for policing or fire services is gaining some momentum at Prince Albert’s city council table.

Yesterday’s executive committee meeting saw councillors ask city solicitor Mitch Holash for his take on how such a fund would work, saying there is already some public support for the idea.

“We have several businesses that would step forward, raise some funds for whatever is needed to assist in public safety, including policing and reduce crime or reduce what’s happening with the fires in our community or whatever it might be,” said Coun. Blake Edwards, who moved to have the item discussed in the meeting.

The idea of a public safety fund was first raised during budget discussions and made its way to the last meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners in December and is now back in front of council.

One stumbling block is the need for distance between city hall and the commission. Despite the fact that council appoints the board, the city can’t direct operations or influence how the service operates but is responsible for funding it at the same time.

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The commission is bound by both provincial legislation and a Saskatchewan Police Commission policy that expressly prohibits police services from excepting money from anywhere other than “established, approved public mechanisms, according to a letter from the Board of Commissioners included in Monday’s agenda.

A fund operated by the city could work, but the Commission said it needs a way to access the fund that meets the legal criteria.

“Should council independently develop such a reserve, consistent with its authority over municipal financial policy, the Board supports the creation of a transparent application process through which Police Administration could request funding for eligible projects,” wrote the commission in their letter.

Holash said it is possible for outside funding to help pay for things that the police or fire department could use to help with their duties while obeying provincial laws.

“It’s not that the police need to be involved in fundraising; I don’t think that it’s appropriate or that it’s necessary either. I think what you’re talking about is identifying policing priorities that may not be concurrently funded,” he said.

“If there are policing priorities or initiatives that are of interest or can be prioritized in discussion with the police service, I really believe that’s the first step. That’s separate and apart from any fundraising.”

That was good news for councillors.

Edwards said residents have consistently identified community safety as a top priority. A recent high-profile fire saw the destruction of the Salvation Army building downtown in a human-caused blaze.

“We have several businesses that would step forward, raise some funds for whatever is needed to assist in public safety, including policing,” Edwards said.

If legislation prevents private donors from helping to pay for things that the fire or police departments can use, then he said it is time to talk to provincial politicians.

“Having the police administration not involved in raising funds does not make much sense these days. This is a government of Saskatchewan policy and maybe we need to as a council, start speaking to them directly,” said Edwards.

The letter from the commission was sent to the financial services department, which will have the task of creating the application process.

Staff will come back with options for council to consider, said acting City Manager Craig Guidinger.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social