‘Save our future generation’: Officials gather to discuss Saskatoon public safety

WATCH: The topic of public safety was discussed at length on Saturday, thanks to the Better Canada Foundation.

The topic of public safety was discussed at length on Saturday, thanks to the Better Canada Foundation.

“So, all walks of people are coming in. So, at the same table, we can talk about these issues, and they can ask questions,” Masud Alam, co-founder and CEO of the Better Canada Foundation, said.

Representatives from the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), the City of Saskatoon, and various other organizations gathered at the Confederation Inn to learn more about the current barriers affecting public safety in the city.

A common theme throughout the seminar was mental health and addictions.

“In the past, a lot of the focus on police agencies and by police officers was really directed towards crime exclusively. And as we have seen in the last number of years, the social conditions that contribute to crime — that are underlying causes of crime — have become more visible and more prevalent. And we know that it can’t just be a policing response to those issues,” Inspector Nolan Berg of the SPS said.

Berg was one of the speakers at the seminar and shared that the rising numbers of addiction-related issues are a problem that cannot be solved by police alone.

“So, they want to find out how we can move ahead collaboratively and find solutions to ensure that people are feeling safe, and yet treating people who are homeless or struggling with addiction and mental health issues in a way that is good for them, helps them, reduces harm, and preserves dignity,” Berg said.

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Ward 9 Councillor Bev Dubois attended as a representative of the city and shared how the topic is top of mind for many lawmakers.

“I want our buses to be safe... I want folks to feel comfortable going for a walk, going downtown, going shopping at a mall. And right now, we’ve got issues with that. So, you know, we have to all keep working together to ensure that we have a safe and vibrant community,” Dubois said.

The councillor also emphasized that the issue of public safety is not exclusive to one area of the city.

“I want our city to be safe, obviously. And, you know, some folks think it’s only downtown or only in certain parts of the city. But really, public safety is everywhere,” Dubois said.

The Better Canada Foundation works to assist new Canadians and marginalized groups meet a variety of needs. This seminar was the first of its kind for the organization, and organizers said they plan to make it an annual event.

“Mental health and addiction are pressing issues all over Canada. And Saskatoon is very important because we have a young generation. They are going through the same thing. So, to save our future generation, to make sure that our young generation thrives here, we need to discuss these issues so that they don’t become bigger,” Arifur Rahman, co-founder and CEO of the Better Canada Foundation, said.