REGINA — Saskatchewan’s government is launching an independent third-party review into hospital security while installing metal detectors in emergency rooms following concerns of growing violence.
The province says it will find an expert to undertake the review and that the metal detectors are to be installed at hospitals in four cities — Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford and Prince Albert.
“We are listening,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill told a news conference in Saskatoon on Thursday.
“Everyone who walks through the doors of a Saskatchewan health-care facility deserves to feel safe.
“Every staff member deserves a safe work environment.”
He said the review is to examine how security is delivered in hospitals and identify areas where safety can be enhanced.
The province is also seeking proposals from contractors to provide security in health facilities in La Loche, Shellbrook, Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Weyburn and other smaller communities.
Andrew Will, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said there has been an increase in assaults and threatening behaviour.
“These events are deeply concerning. They are stressful for staff, unsettling for patients and families and they have no place in health care.”
Will said the authority will hire an additional 51 officers to help staff the metal detectors. The devices and extra officers are to cost $3 million.
Asked whether acute patients requiring urgent care would need to go through the detectors, Cockrill said he trusts employees will make sound decisions.
“If somebody is coming in at a high level of acuity, I don’t think it’s appropriate to wheel them through the metal detector, when the priority is getting them the level of care they need as soon as possible,” he said.
As part of a pilot project, the authority had previously put detectors in the joint emergency department entrance at Royal University Hospital and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon.
Earlier this week, they were installed at other Saskatoon hospitals and Regina’s two hospitals.
Will said the devices have been successful, as they allowed security to confiscate knives and deterred others from entering the facilities.
“I can’t think of a situation where bringing a weapon into a health-care facility is going to improve my care experience,” he said. “There’s no need for these weapons to be in our health-care facilities.”
The detectors are scheduled to be installed in February at Prince Albert Victoria Hospital, Battlefords Union Hospital and the Regina Urgent Care Centre.
Cockrill said safety is becoming an increasingly complex and concerning issue, citing the death two weeks ago of Trevor Dubois.
The 36-year-old patient died after an altercation with security at Royal University Hospital. Police said methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and an imitation firearm were found in his room.
But his niece Jayden Dubois and his mother, Val Dubois, have said the firearm was a bright pink and yellow combination cigarette holder-lighter.
The family has criticized the Saskatchewan Party government for a lack of information about what happened.
Cockrill said he plans to meet with the family, as per their wishes, but is waiting to hear more from investigations by police and the coroner.
“We haven’t connected yet (with the family),” he said.
“I wanted to allow appropriate time for the family to grieve the loss of a loved one.”
The health authority has said the officer involved in the altercation has been suspended, pending its own third-party review into the use of force.
Earlier Thursday, the Opposition NDP joined union representatives to draw attention to safety concerns at Royal University Hospital. At a news conference, they displayed pictures of seized items including knives, scissors and box cutters.
Addressing the new safety review, NDP labour critic Nathaniel Teed said, “What took so long?”
“It took hundreds of people stepping forward bravely to speak out before we see any action. Even then, a metal detector is just one step; we need a comprehensive plan to protect workers and hospital patients.”
Cockrill said the detectors are a start.
“We’re going to need to continue to do more to make sure that patients and staff feel safe,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
