The province of Saskatchewan and the federal government has signed a deal securing the RCMP services in Saskatchewan for the next 20 years.
The new Provincial Police Service Agreement was signed in Regina Wednesday and comes into effect April 1, 2012. It runs until March 31, 2032.
On hand for the signing were provincial minister of corrections, public safety and policing Yogi Huyghebaert and federal minister of public safety Vic Toews, as well as other officials.
The agreement will continue the current cost-sharing model with the province paying 70 per cent of the costs and the federal government the rest. The terms of the agreement also provide for a stronger management partnership in financial reporting and priority setting, and also for a renewal of the aging RCMP infrastructure in the province.
The deal in Saskatchewan follows a similar long-term agreement with the RCMP signed in Alberta. There had been talk in Alberta about possibly switching to its own provincial police force but ultimately decided to keep the RCMP.
The City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford currently rely on the RCMP for policing in the area.
