Latest news with #SaskatoonPolice
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Police investigating robbery at Saskatoon jewelry store
Watch WATCH: Saskatoon police are investigating an armed robbery at a jewelry at a Central Mall on 8th Street.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Higher than anticipated' salary settlement causing pressure on Saskatoon police budget
Saskatoon's police chief says an arbitrator's decision over a new collective agreement is raising officers' salaries and putting pressure on the service's budget. Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Chief Cam McBride said a settlement finalized last December for backpay is largely the reason for a 10.4 per cent increase to its 2026 budget being presented to Saskatoon City Council. 'It was higher than we anticipated,' McBride said. 'Looking at the financial pressure over the course of the contract, we were able to absorb that within savings for 2025.' But an additional $4.7 million that can't be covered by the SPS stabilization fund is needed to carry forward to the 2026 budget, he says. With a new contract set for Jan. 1, 2026, McBridge says the service needed to factor in additional salary increases and large call volumes in its 2027 ask to council. 'When you look at the significant increase, it's predominantly making up for contract settlements from previous years,' McBride said. A financial forecast released by city administration on Wednesday warned of property tax increases of 9.9 per cent in 2026, and 7.34 per cent in 2027. Police account for nearly 22 per cent of all spending at City Hall — the highest of any expenditure. The 2025 budget totaled $141.4 million when approved last December. Next year, initial estimates provided to administration outline an increase of $13.6 million, or 10.42 per cent. In 2027, the police budget is expected to grow by another $9.2 million, or 6.41 per cent. By these estimates, Saskatoon's police budget would account for a 4.09 per cent increase to property taxes alone next year. The arbitration award last December came out just days after city council finalized the SPS budget. On Thursday, McBride made the case for his team. He said police can't ignore the growing number of calls for service after roughly 30,000 people moved to Saskatoon in the last two years. While he said the growth in its budget is 'very responsible,' it won't leave the city or community safety vulnerable. 'We're doing the very best we can to manage through a difficult year,' he said. 'But certainly, our growth plans remain solid, and our commitment to the City of Saskatoon remains solid.' Work to reduce the potential property tax hike has already begun for city council. Mayor Cynthia Block says council could vote through a zero per cent property tax increase, but it would come at the cost of police or core services. She said she doesn't want to make the mistake other cities do when it comes to reducing budgets by 'kicking the can down the road' and would rather keep up with best practices when it comes to roadways or sidewalks and maintain existing funding, so Saskatoon doesn't fall behind. 'I don't know, these are the important conversations that we're going to have to have over the coming months to try to bring this in line with what people can afford, and I guess what we might be willing to give up,' Block said. Administration is recommending a city committee refine the budget to reduce the proposed property tax rate increases by 1 percentage point when it meets next week. To do so, the city would need to find savings of $3.31 million in the 2026 budget. A city report said this could be accomplished by adjusting proposed phase-ins for projects like fire halls and a new leisure centre previously approved by council. All budget numbers are estimates and are subject to change ahead of budget deliberations in November.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Saskatoon major crimes unit investigating after human remains found west of city
Social Sharing Officers with Saskatoon police's major crimes unit are investigating after human remains were found west of the city on June 4. The remains were somewhere off Highway 7. Police did not say how far out of the city they were found, how they were discovered or how far off the highway. "At this time, the identity of the deceased has not been confirmed. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the discovery, and whether foul play is involved," police said in a news release.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Human remains discovered west of Saskatoon
Human remains were discovered just west of Saskatoon on Wednesday, and forensic investigators are working to determine if foul play was involved. In a news release Wednesday evening, Saskatoon police said the remains were discovered earlier that day off Highway 7, west of the city. Police say investigators secured the scene and forensic identification specialists are working alongside the Saskatchewan Coroners Service to figure out the circumstances of the death, 'and whether foul play is involved.' The body has not yet been identified, according to police, and the coroner has scheduled a post-mortem examination. Police are putting out a public call for tips. Anyone with information that may help investigators is asked to call the Saskatoon Police Service, or Crime Stoppers.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Traffic restricted on University Bridge after motorcycle and vehicle collide
A Saskatoon Police Service badge is shown on an officer's uniform in Saskatoon on Friday, May 5, 2023. Police in Saskatoon are reporting a rather unusual case that saw them catch their suspect -- but lose their car. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu Saskatoon police say traffic is restricted on University Bridge Thursday following a serious collision between a motorcycle and vehicle. According to a Saskatoon police news release, emergency crews responded to the scene around 7:30 a.m. Police say traffic is restricted in both directions and motorists are being advised to find an alternate route. Police did not say how long traffic restrictions would be in place, adding more information will be released when available.
