NDP claims government has dropped the ball on northern addictions and violence rates

The issues in Pelican Narrows have been pushed into the spotlight in recent weeks after the murder of Jaden Custer and the discovery of the remains of a teenage boy who had been missing from Ontario.

Northern leaders have also issued a state of emergency.

Overall, the data released by Statistics Canada Tuesday found the rate of crime has shot up 51 per cent provincewide since 2014. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of severe crime in the country and growth in that crime rate is outpacing every other province and territory.

Northern communities in Saskatchewan have the highest rate of common assault of any rural area in Canada and the highest rate of non-violent weapon offences.

“Communities in the north are tired of being news headlines for gun crimes,” McPhail said. “We need real safety measures and supports for northern communities, not a disastrous government led by a Premier who spent three times the amount in his bad news budget on servicing his debt than on funding the desperate need for more law enforcement resources.”

“We used to be a place where people kept their doors unlocked – unfortunately that reality has become a myth for people in the North.”

Community Safety Minister Michael Weger was also in Prince Albert on Tuesday and confirmed plans to meet with law enforcement and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) Chief Peter Beatty. He also noted a desire to visit the community.

“I find that, as minister of community safety, I need to hear it from the people who are living that reality.”

On Thursday, PBCN hosted a Community Sharing Circle and Open House at the Wapawikoscikan High School at Pelican Narrows.

The gathering was designed to provide residents with official updates, an opportunity to ask questions, and access to support services.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

NDP claims government has dropped the ball on northern addictions and violence rates

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