SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan NDP’s Cumberland MLA Jordan McPhail said northern communities don’t have the same access to resources to help people deal with mental health and addictions and prevent violence and other gang-related activities.
On Wednesday, June 3, McPhail said northern communities, such as the Town of La Ronge, do not have the same budget as the provincial government when dealing with the problems they are facing now. He was reacting to recent tragic incidents in Pelican Narrows and on Montreal Lake Cree Nation.
He said the recent violence in northern Saskatchewan highlights the need for a stronger response to both crime and its root causes, while praising and thanking RCMP officers for their efforts in responding, tracking down and arresting the suspects.
He said he now hopes the courts will deliver justice for the victims' families. However, government action is needed to address factors contributing to crime, including mental health challenges, addictions, poverty and inadequate community supports.
McPhail mentioned the Town of La Ronge, which probably had one of the largest budgets among northern Saskatchewan communities, with around $10 million a year when he was part of the municipal council.
McPhail is a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and first served on town council before being elected to the provincial legislature in 2024 under the Saskatchewan NDP. He is the shadow minister for northern affairs.
He called for additional grief counsellors, mental health services and addiction treatment resources in northern communities affected by recent tragedies, rather than the government’s involuntary addiction treatment approach, since there are not enough treatment beds available for people voluntarily seeking help.
McPhail added that it is not necessarily the jurisdiction of municipalities to provide mental health and addictions supports, since their councils do not have the means to hire the right people who are experts and are trained in delivering the services needed by residents of northern communities.
Instead, chiefs, councils and mayors in the north have had to be creative and organize community events and gatherings, such as the 250th anniversary of Île-à-la-Crosse, where they would bring bands to perform and have elders hold cultural teachings.
“The [Lac La Ronge Indian] band where I am from, in Treaty 6, hosts incredible winter festivals and carnivals. They do a lot to celebrate northern lifestyles and cultures. They do everything they can to bring these people together. Pinehouse Lake has its elders gathering,” added McPhail.
“There are so many things northern communities are doing. They're desperate to try and provide the services that the government has completely neglected. They're doing their best, and they need a provincial government that takes the same urgency that northern leaders are showing.”
He criticized the Saskatchewan government for failing to respond to requests for help in northern communities facing escalating violence and said the Opposition has yet to receive any response to the letter it sent about crime in northern communities, such as Pelican Narrows, since police alone cannot address the crisis.
Government response
Community Safety Minister Michael Weger, in a statement, said the government is saddened by the tragedy and extends its condolences to the communities, families, friends and other loved ones who are suffering and have been affected by the difficult incident.
Weger added that the provincial government, especially his ministry, is working with the RCMP, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and the Prince Albert Grand Council to strengthen community safety initiatives and address local priorities.
“This weekend, I visited Pelican Narrows and met with Chief Peter Beatty of PBCN and local leadership of Pelican Narrows to discuss the challenges facing the community with respect to safety, mental health and addictions. I also met with Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of PAGC in Prince Albert on Thursday, May 28,” said Weger.
He said the 2026-27 provincial budget has allocated $310 million to support the RCMP’s operations across Saskatchewan, including $26 million to support expanding First Nations policing through the First Nation Community Safety Officer program to serve more First Nations communities.
“FNCSOs are appointed as special constables under The Police Act, 1990, enabling them to enforce provincial laws and respond to low-risk public safety calls. FNCSOs do not have an active role in responding to violent incidents. However, they play an important role in prevention through education, information sharing (including with the RCMP) and connecting individuals to support resources,” Weger added.
He added that there are currently 73 appointed community safety officers employed by 25 municipalities and First Nations, serving 45 communities in the province. PBCN is an active participant in the FNCSO pilot, having joined in 2024-25. One CSO is currently based in Pelican Narrows.
