City of North Battleford building (left), and Town of Battleford Town Hall (right). (Image Credit: battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

local impact

Battlefords leaders welcome health investments in 2026 Sask. budget

Mar 19, 2026 | 3:14 PM

Residents in the Battlefords could see expanded access to health care and mental health services under Saskatchewan’s latest budget, with funding committed to both an urgent care centre and a complex needs facility in the region.

The 2026-27 provincial budget includes the two projects as part of broader health investments, including $636 million for infrastructure and funding for about 200 additional addictions treatment spaces across Saskatchewan. 

It also adds $9.6 million to expand a recovery-focused system of care, including funding for complex needs facilities in Prince Albert and North Battleford.

Planning and continued investment for urgent care centres are underway in North Battleford, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon.

Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie described the budget as “a B plus,” citing “some great deliverables” while noting key challenges remain. 

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He said the planned urgent care centre could help relieve pressure on overcrowded emergency rooms by redirecting non-emergency cases.

“If an urgent care centre can come in and maybe take away that emergency load so the people who are going to the emergency room are there for true emergencies, we can get back to the medical service provider service level that we expect and want,” Leslie said. 

At the same time, a new complex needs facility in North Battleford is expected to provide an alternative for individuals experiencing mental health or addictions-related crises.

North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin said the facility would allow police to bring individuals to a care setting instead of holding them in cells.

“A more compassionate approach to dealing with disturbances in the community that may be a result of mental health or addictions,” she said. 

Battlefords RCMP commander Insp. Ryan How said the budget’s focus on mental health and addictions directly supports policing efforts.

“Battlefords RCMP are pleased to see the continued increasing support and commitment to public safety,” How said, adding the detachment is filling vacancies and working to expand proactive crime prevention initiatives. 

However, he said policing alone cannot address the root causes of crime.

“Suppressing criminal behaviour can’t be addressed by the police alone anymore and we need our professional partners to be successful,” How said. 

The province is also investing $310 million in RCMP operations and First Nations policing, along with expanded community safety initiatives. 

While North Battleford does not expect additional officers under its current agreement, Hawtin said other measures – including the Saskatchewan Marshals Service and added court resources – could still improve public safety.

“We are hopeful and optimistic that that can really make a difference with repeat prolific offender issues and tracking individuals that are on outstanding warrants for the region,” she said. 

Leslie said policing remains a concern for the Town of Battleford, which he described as underserved.

“We’re the second largest town in the province and we have basically zero police officers assigned to us,” he said, adding the town will continue pushing for improved service. 

Beyond health and safety, the budget includes record municipal revenue sharing of $392.4 million, part of $712.2 million in total provincial support to communities. 

North Battleford expects about a $230,000 increase, which Hawtin said will help offset rising costs such as fuel, utilities and infrastructure. According to the province, the city is getting $3,759,725 this year. 

“It provides us some sustainable operating funding that we can count on year after year,” she said. 

Leslie said the additional funding will support long-term infrastructure planning, particularly for water and sewer systems, but warned the gap continues to grow.

“The municipal infrastructure deficits across this province are growing faster than what we can fund,” he said. 

Other measures in the budget include doubling the volunteer firefighter tax credit to $6,000 and expanding specialized support classrooms in schools, both of which Leslie said could help with recruitment and classroom needs locally. 

The province is projecting an $819-million deficit for the fiscal year. 

Leslie said that raises longer-term concerns about sustainability.

“As a municipal leader and not allowed or not legislatively able to run a deficit, so it is a caution that the province and all provinces across this country are budgeting for a deficit,” he noted.

Hawtin said municipalities are still reviewing the full scope of the plan as they assess its local impact.

“We’re going to understand more about the budget; we are also digesting it, so that’s important for any member of the community to understand,” she said. 

—

Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com