(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Municipal affairs

Prince Albert calls on SUMA for help with funding para-transit and policing

Apr 16, 2025 | 5:22 PM

Prince Albert’s Mayor says a para-transit funding agreement between municipalities and the provincial government is outdated and causing stress for operational planning.

One of the resolutions brought forward by the city at this week’s Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention in Saskatoon was to see capital assistance increased. The program, which was established 27 years ago, provides a grant for $55,000 per bus or 75 per cent of the cost, whichever is lower.

“Fast forward 27 years later and the funding is still the same per unit, so the [province’s] percentage over the last 10 years has dropped,” Mayor Bill Powalinsky explained.

He then noted that in 2018, the funding only helped with 55 per cent of the total cost, and last year covered 31.5 per cent.

“And over 10 years, the price of buses has gone up 151 per cent,” he added.

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In 2018, the cost of a para-transit bus was $69,500, and now in 2025 is around $174,500.

Last year, Powalinsky estimated para-transit was responsible for upwards of 31,000 trips in Prince Albert, but added that number does not reflect latent demand, which are the people who tried to call, got turned away and never called back to re-book.

The other Prince Albert resolution had to do with policing, and asking the province to provide full funding for the additional 17 police officers it was promised over the next four years. The province has currently agreed to pay 80 per cent, leaving the city with 20 per cent.

“Raises occur and equipment needs to be purchased, so in about three years we will effectively be paying 30 per cent,” Powalinsky said.

Other SUMA business

Powalinsky described the overall tone of SUMA as positive and cooperative.

While there was some talk about tariffs, he said one of the bigger issues was for SUMA to lobby the government for help with mental health services, such as addictions and social support programs.

Powalinsky also noted Prince Albert received good feedback about its community and safety well-being initiative. Launched in August 2024, the website helps improve communication, public awareness and participation in the work being done to address issues like crime, substance abuse, mental health and homelessness.

“I’d say in some cases, communities are kind of envious of the path we have taken and the results we are getting,” Powalinsky said.

Another resolution that caught the Mayor’s eye was for SUMA to lobby the provincial government to provide financial support for the municipal eco-action centre. Municipalities could access training, funding assistance for climate-related initiatives.

They could also receive climate data and assistance for assessing climate risks and upgrading infrastructure for potential climate impacts.

“We’re seeing differences in our climate and that’s definitely going to affect sooner or later the water supply, water turbidity and food remediation strategies,” Powalinsky said.

Another big positive for Prince Albert, emerging from this week’s SUMA convention, is the election of Ward 7 Councillor Dawn Kilmer to the SUMA board.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social