Bill 6 (The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act)
Second Reading
From Hansard (31 March 2025)

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Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will now move second reading of The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act.

This fall we announced a comprehensive plan to promote safer communities and neighbourhoods within the province. This bill forms part of that commitment. Items such as bear spray or large knives and machetes can be used as legitimate tools that serve important purposes. Unfortunately we continue to see incidents where these items are being used as street weapons. Mr. Speaker, this bill allows Saskatchewan municipalities and First Nations to choose to opt in to rules that will help ensure these items are used for their intended purpose and not as street weapons.

Part 2 of the bill prohibits persons from possessing street weapons in public urban spaces. Persons are also prohibited from defacing or altering street weapons or possessing an altered or defaced street weapon. People in breach of these rules can be charged with a provincial offence.

Part 3 of the bill provides peace officers enhanced powers to seize and impound street weapons from people in public urban spaces if the weapon constitutes a threat to public safety. These seizure powers exist whether or not a person is charged with an offence under the Act. This would reduce the immediate risk of the weapon being used in a harmful manner. If the owner is not charged or convicted of an offence under the Act, they may apply for return of the item; otherwise it becomes forfeited to the province.

These laws will apply to the individual municipalities and First Nations that choose to opt in to the legislation. This approach ensures that communities have flexibility to adopt these provisions based on their own unique circumstances. By opting in to the Act, municipalities and First Nations will give police officers the ability to tackle street weapons through uniform provincial rules and offences rather than relying on enforcement through individual bylaws or First Nation bylaws.

Mr. Speaker, this past February the government passed regulations to address the improper use of bear spray. This bill expands on those regulations and will replace them. This bill provides an additional tool for law enforcement that will help officers carry out their duties. The new rules ensure that large knives, bear spray, and other similar items are used for their intended purpose and not as street weapons.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act.

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