The new legislation includes exemptions intending to permit people to keep using these items for legitimate reasons like food preparation, wildlife threat protection, or medical purposes (for hypodermic needles).
In its news release, the provincial government said the new law seeks to improve safety in public urban spaces, which could include public buildings, parks, playgrounds, land or buildings entered without the owner’s permission, condominium or apartment common areas, unoccupied land or buildings, or vehicles traversing public spaces.
The news release added that the new legislation also aims to add tools to eliminate dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine from Saskatchewan’s communities to promote citizens’ health and safety.
Applicability
In the news release, the provincial government explained that municipalities and First Nations could opt into the new legislation. If they chose to do so, they would empower police to tackle street weapons via harmonized provincial rules and offences. Otherwise, the new law would be inapplicable in those municipalities or First Nations.
“The coming-into-force of this Act will empower law enforcement and give them an important tool to appropriately address individuals that use street weapons to intimidate or harm people in public spaces,” said Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s justice minister and attorney general, in the news release.