La Loche, Sask., mayor thanks government for support after shooting

Nearly six months after a tragic school shooting in La Loche, Sask., the northern village's mayor penned an open letter thanking the government of Saskatchewan for its continued support in helping his community bounce back from tragedy.

• La Loche shooting victims: four lives cut short

On Jan. 22, a 17-year-old boy allegedly opened fire, killing two brothers at their home in La Loche, Sask., about 605 kilometres north of Saskatoon. Police say the teen then opened fire at La Loche Community School, killing a teacher and a teaching assistant, and wounding seven others. 

On Wednesday, the premier's office confirmed to CBC Saskatchewan that seven people injured in the attack have now been released from hospital. In February, three of the victims were still recovering at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. The Crown has stated it wants the accused teen sentenced as an adult if he is convicted.

In his letter, La Loche mayor Kevin Janvier said there's a visible improvement in the people of his community, because there are now consistent and dedicated mental health counselors in La Loche.

"We have seen a great improvement in terms of children not having to retell their story to a new person each week," Janvier said. "Files have been created and information flow between those using mental health supports and those providing the services has improved."

Janvier added he feels things are moving well, and if his community and the provincial government continue to work together, long-term positive solutions will emerge. 

The mayor also thanked his area's Member of Parliament, Georgina Jolibois, for her recent comments in the media where she noted federal and provincial governments had not done enough in the wake of January's shootings to help her community cope and heal.

• MP for La Loche, Sask. says community needs more help for mental health after shooting

Last week Jolibois said virtually no additional resources have been brought to the northern community since the Jan. 22 shootings.

But on Wednesday, the provincial government released details of the additional resources delivered to La Loche. Those include more counseling services, and heightened security at both of the community's schools, along with its hospital and clinic. 

According to a government spokesperson, immediately following the shootings, staff from several different ministries traveled to the northern Saskatchewan village of roughly 3,000 people to assist with its health and safety needs.

Since the shootings, 300 people have received counseling services including victims, witnesses, other traumatized community residents and school staff. Saskatchewan's Victims' Compensation Program has provided money for 86 people to date, with another 90 applications under review.

Victims' Compensation provides payments to victims to reimburse reasonable expenses resulting from criminal acts of personal violence.  

In February, the maximum compensation payable for counseling was increased from $2,000 to $5,000 to provide victims of violence with additional resources to support recovery from trauma. This change occurred, in part, in response to the shootings in La Loche.

Security ramped up at both schools

Since the tragedy, the northern village has implemented emergency lock-down protocols for both schools in La Loche as well as upgrades to security systems in the schools. Security officers are now stationed in both schools during operation and are on-site during any after-school or weekend activities.

The school division has also hired additional counselors to work until the end of June, and it's secured a counsellor to cover the summer months at La Loche's Friendship Centre.

The government said it's currently working with the Northern Lights School Division to develop a plan for next year. They're considering adding teaching staff, more counseling supports, and strengthening Adult Basic Education and trades education.

. However, the province says La Loche's request to run Dene teacher training "will require substantial discussion and planning".

Health ministry boosts mental health resources

The Ministry of Health said two mental health counselors and two addictions workers are currently stationed in La Loche. Earlier this month, one more community mental health nurse began providing counseling through the Friendship Centre, as well on-call services around the clock.

Two visiting psychiatrists currently provide monthly services to the community, with the province's Northern Medical Services branch covering "telehealth" consultations between trips.

The government said the regional health authority is committed to hiring a suicide prevention and community wellness worker to provide services through the Friendship Centre. It's also paying for a new X-ray machine at the hospital.

La Loche has one full-time victims services coordinator position, paid for by the ministry of Justice. In March, funding was announced for a second full-time position.

Investments in infrastructure

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure said it's planning over $1 million in improvements along Highway 155, which connects La Loche to Buffalo Narrows. Officials proposed extending the Alberta side of a winter road from La Loche to Fort McMurray However, officials in Alberta said that's not currently on their three-year road construction plan.

The government said SaskTel will complete network expansion plans in the La Loche area by the end of 2016, which would include putting Wi-Fi connectivity at La Loche's hospital.