Sask. RCMP investigates record number of homicides in 2024

Saskatchewan RCMP investigated a record number of homicides last year.

According to an RCMP report, there were 38 homicide files involving 40 victims in RCMP jurisdictions in the province in 2024.

Supt. Joshua Graham, who is in charge of the major crimes unit, said there are worrying trends behind the numbers.

Graham said the majority of those homicides (22) were reported in Saskatchewan RCMP's north district.

"Unfortunately, a lot of those are Indigenous communities," Graham said. "Over time, what we generally see is that those communities that have high rates of violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, lack of support, all that kind of culminates into violent crime that we're seeing … especially since the pandemic."

There has also been an increase in homicides stemming from domestic violence, he said.

According to 2023 Statistics Canada data, police services in Canada reported 778 homicide victims overall, resulting in a national homicide rate of 1.94 homicides per 100,000 people.

Last year the Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction had a rate of 7.2 homicide victims per 100,000 people. In the north district the rate was 14.8 homicide victims per 100,000 people.

Rick Sanderson, director of justice with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), said there are a lot of factors contributing to the north's high homicide rates.

"Residential schools, the Sixties Scoop and the loss of our traditional way of life, trapping, living off the land," Sanderson said. "We also see a lot of concern right now with the drugs and the gangs in our communities.

"But we must look past numbers because these are actual families that are grieving the loss of a loved one."

Sanderson, who is also a former RCMP officer, said a shortage of officers in the north is limiting their ability to do their jobs.

"I know that a lot of the officers that are of the higher ranks are going back up there and working relief duties to help alleviate the problem," he said.

"But when you have relief officers coming to work in those communities, they don't know the community, they don't know the people, they don't know the players, and they can't do their job effectively."

RCMP Staff Sgt. Bobby Baker is the Prairie director for the National Police Federation, the union that represents RCMP officers. He said officers with the major crimes unit are experiencing burnout.

"The numbers [of homicides] are through the roof, members are burned out and homicide investigations are a lot more complex than they used to be a decade or two ago," he said.

"You're working long hours because time is of the essence and you are burning out. And ultimately that is a recipe for PTSD or different operational stress injuries that are really difficult for our members."

Baker said the union is calling for bail reform to keep violent offenders off the streets and more money for officers.

He was critical of the Saskatchewan government's planned marshals service.

"We're not interested in politics, we just want to police the community. If there is more crime we need more boots on the ground," he said.

Baker said there are 19,000 applicants to join the RCMP waiting to be processed.

"So the whole adage that nobody wants to be a cop or a Mountie is not true."

Supt. Graham said to lower the homicide rates, you have to fix many of the social ills that plague some of those northern communities. He said creating healthier communities and relationships will hopefully reduce violent crime.

Sanderson said the PAGC leadership is open to working with the RCMP to find solutions.

"I spoke to the chief [Monday morning] and he wants us to set up a meeting with the RCMP to see how we can assist in this," Sanderson said.

"I think that's a big step, not just saying it's a them or us issue, but working on this together."

So far RCMP have laid charges against 36 people in relation to 2024's homicides.