New agency to run 911, emergency dispatching

The Saskatchewan Party government is creating a new Crown corporation.

Announced Thursday, the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) will oversee 911 and emergency dispatching services for the province.

It is a slight departure from how those services have been managed since 2006. Under that arrangement, the City of Prince Albert and the province have partnered to comanage emergency communication services.

The new Crown’s first priority, according to the province, will be to create a seamless transition between Prince Albert and other stakeholders.

Job losses are not expected as a result of the transfer, since the staff from the existing system are basically doing a direct transfer to the Crown. SPSA will report to the Minister of Government Relations — currently Larry Doke — and operate out of a new facility in Prince Albert.

“Saskatchewan has grown immensely over the last decade and this new model is ideally suited to ensure communication services continue to be delivered in the most effective, efficient way possible with our experienced staff,” Doke said in a statement.

“I would also like to thank the City of Prince Albert for all that they have done to help keep Saskatchewan residents safe.”

Along with announcing the new Crown, the province also made clear it is increasing 911 emergency service fees.

Applied to cellphones and landlines within the province, fees are rising $0.32 per month starting in 2018.