Local RM delighted with formal change to Saskatchewan trespassing law

walterpalladNovember 25, 2022

Local government officials in Saskatchewan applaud the move to ban federal employees from entering private property without a permit.

Michael Oleksin, Postmedia News

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November 25, 2022 • 30 minutes ago • Read in 3 minutes

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A no trespassing sign at the edge of a rural lot near Regina, Saskatchewan, October 15, 2020. BRANDON HARDER/ Regina Leader-Post Photo by Brandon Harder /Regina Leader Post

PRINCE ALBERT — Local governments broke the news that the state government has formalized a new trespass law approved at a special meeting in August, following complaints that federal employees were accessing private property without permission. Welcomed.

The state government formally announced the changes on Wednesday. The local municipality’s Reeves is happy that the law has been introduced. RM of Prince Albert Reeve Eric Schmalz said the idea was a good one.

“Given current rural crime rates, I think there’s a lot of anxiety about strangers cars and people showing up on people’s property,” Schmalz said. “It can create a tense situation and generally this is not an area the federal government should tread.

“This is a state jurisdiction and state governments provide ministries to cover this area and should be handled by state governments who can share information with the federal government,” he added. “From what I understand, and from reading the incidents that raised concerns being addressed by this new law, it is not a federal location.”

Buckland Reeve Don Fyrk’s RM has a similar idea.

“I think they (Federal employees) should be treated like anyone else. If you want to go on someone’s property, get permission,” Fyrk said.

Trespassing laws prohibit persons from entering the premises unless they have the consent of the occupant or are acting under legal authority. Failure to comply with this rule of conduct is a violation that can result in fines of up to $200,000.

Schmaltz said he believes the state is well equipped to deal with the problem.

“I understand that our residents of rural Saskatchewan have the right to feel safe in their own homes and to allow unknown vehicles or individuals to enter their property without knowledge or informed consent. I want to make sure I have the right not to be surprised.

Fyrk said he hadn’t heard of any such complaints about federal employees at his RM, but was familiar with the circumstances that initially raised concern.

Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Ayre said the law introduced Wednesday formalizes and strengthens changes to trespassing regulations made in early 2022.

These changes require federal employees to comply with laws that prohibit individuals from entering private property without the owner’s consent.

“After farmers in our province expressed concern that federal officials were testing water on private property without their consent, Health Canada confirmed that federal officials were actually testing pesticides. I agree,” said Ayer.

“It is simply best practice and common courtesy to seek landowner consent before gaining access, and I see no reason why federal officials should not meet this standard.”

NDP judicial commentator Nicole Sarauer said the law was redundant and accused state governments of failing to focus on more important issues.

“This bill appears to simply replicate regulations already passed this summer,” Salawah said in a statement emailed to the Prince Albert Daily Herald. does nothing new to help landowners other than further divide the people of Saskatchewan.

“There are a million and one other problems facing Saskatchewan people today, whether it is a lack of medical capacity or a rising cost of living crisis. It’s clear that it shouldn’t and that Sask shouldn’t do it.The party government should focus more energy.”

Existing exemptions to the law, such as emergency services personnel, utility workers, and inspectors, remain unchanged. The Saskatchewan government must already comply with this law.

— Local Journalism Initiative

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