A group in Saskatoon calling for defunding the police says the police and health systems should be restructured so there are specific services for people with mental health concerns to go to. The group is organizing Sunday's "Disarm, Defund and Abolish the Police" rally and asking supporters to send a letter to Saskatoon's elected officials asking them to "start divesting from the Saskatoon Police Services immediately." Bear said there are gaps in social services that could be filled if money that goes to police was redirected. Police chiefs and mayors in Saskatoon and Regina have said they do not believe defunding police is the right approach to reduce police enforcement. They said the city could not put money into social services such as mental health because that is the purview of the province.

Source: CBC News June 14, 2020 10:52 UTC