Resolutions

Whereas, from 2016 to 2020 inclusively, 2,321 incidents of sexual violence against children were recorded in Saskatchewan, including 304 incidents of possessing or accessing child pornography and an additional 552 incidents of making or distributing child pornography; and

Whereas there has been an 88% increase in online child exploitation reported to Cybertip.ca Canada since the pandemic began and nearly 1 in 4 parents in Canada have come across inappropriate online behaviour aimed Q+ their child; and

Whereas in the Province of Saskatchewan, child sexual exploitation as reported on December 21,2020, has seen a tripling of the cases with very limited resources to respond.

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to provide additional funding to police services in cities that are currently working in this area so that they can increase unit investigators and expand resources undertaking child sexual exploitation.

Be it further resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to undertake an initiative to expand into other communities across the province and that this urgent initiative includes cross-agency stakeholder engagement, a provincial-wide public awareness and education campaign focusing on prevention/ support and reporting.

ACTS AFFECTED: None

REGION/SECTOR AFFECTED: All

May 19, 2022                                                                         Ref: 2022-85

Randy Goulden

President, Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association 

Dear Randy Goulden:

Thank you for your recent letter regarding the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) resolutions adopted at the spring convention. 

Resolution 2022-14 Provincial Resources for Internet Child Exploitation (ICE)

Saskatchewan ICE is an integrated policing unit charged with investigating and apprehending perpetrators of child sexual exploitation. ICE's mandate is to reduce the vulnerability of children to internet facilitated sexual exploitation by identifying victimized children and investigating and assisting in the prosecution of sexual offenders.

In 2021, 851 files were investigated by ICE, resulting in 103 criminal charges, including 39 possession of child pornography charges; 21 transmit, make available, distribute and sell charges; and 10 luring charges.

Regina and Saskatoon continue to see the greatest number of investigations, making up 60 per cent of all files. In response to the file load in these two cities, the 2022-23 budget provided funding for two additional ICE investigator positions - one in Saskatoon and one in Regina.

The ministry now funds nine ICE investigator positions across three municipal police services, including Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as well as five RCMP resources.

As requested in the resolution, the ministry will continue to assess workload in the ICE program and will endeavour to balance all resource needs across police initiatives with strong fiscal stewardship. Having ICE develop and provide a province-wide public awareness and education campaign focusing on prevention, support and reporting is an idea I support. I will refer this to ministry officials to advance to the Joint Management Committee in charge of the ICE program.

I trust this information fully responds to your inquiry. If you have additional questions, please contact Rae Gallivan, Executive Director, Policing and Community Safety Services at 306-787-3572 or email at rae.gallivan@gov.sk.ca.

Sincerely,

Christine Tell, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety

cc:       Gordon Wyant, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Dale Larsen, Deputy Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety

Rob Cameron, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policing and Community Safety Services Rae Gallivan, Executive Director, Policing and Community Safety Services

Jean-Marc Nadeau, Executive Director, SUMA