Rural crime, ambulance times and overcrowding in hospitals were on the minds of delegates attending the bear pit session with cabinet ministers at the SARM convention in Regina.

Delegates addressed the need to bring more officers to rural areas. Corrections and Policing minister Christine Tell hopes to see more action on that front without taking away from traffic stops on main highways.

Ministers also spoke about solutions to get help to rural residents who need an ambulance but live hours from a hospital. Rural and Remote Health Minister Warren Kaeding explained they are trying to find ways to alleviate pressures by determining what areas are being undeserved.

Health Minister Jim Reiter also addressed the the challenges of overcrowding saying the government has been responding by putting a lot more financial resources into the health system, but admitted some areas need to be better addressed.

(CKRM)