Sask NDP and a decorated paramedic want the province to create a medal that would forever mark the sacrifice of police, firefighters, and paramedics who die doing their jobs.David Reed, an advanced-care paramedic and Canadian Armed Forces veteran, stood with Sask NDP Policing Critic Nicole Sarauer at the legislature to press Premier Scott Moe’s government for action.Sarauer said the honour would be a first in Canada and would give grieving relatives something tangible to carry through the years.“There’s no way to fully repay the sacrifices our police, paramedics, and firefighters make to keep us safe — but that shouldn’t stop us from trying,” said Sarauer. “Families who’ve lost loved ones in the line of duty deserve lasting recognition they can carry forward for generations.” .Reed’s campaign has gathered significant endorsements, such as the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, the Paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, each of which has endorsed the proposal.Sask Party Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, in a letter to Sarauer, said the Saskatchewan government is focused on a monument for first responders who die on the job.The Saskatchewan Protective Services Memorial is expected to open this fall at Regina’s Wascana Centre.Sarauer welcomed the monument but said it does not replace a medal given to the families..“We can and should do both,” said Sarauer. “A medal is personal. It’s something a family can hold, display, and pass down. That kind of recognition matters.” In a statement, the province said the memorial will complement the existing Saskatchewan Protective Services Medal, which recognizes active service across policing, firefighting, and other safety fields. “The memorial will be a physical monument that will recognize the continual service and sacrifice of Saskatchewan’s first responder and public service sectors,” said the Saskatchewan government.The NDP wants the Sask Party to reconsider before the memorial is unveiled.
