Sask. legislation would classify fentanyl, meth, needles as ‘street weapons’

The Government of Saskatchewan introduced legislation this week that would classify fentanyl, methamphetamine and hypodermic needles as categories of “street weapons.”

The amendments to the Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act were introduced on Monday, and the government said the act is expected to pass during the spring sitting before coming into force this summer after the regulations have been finalized.

Read More:

• ‘True needle exchange’ behind fewer needles this spring: Saskatoon fire
• Scott Moe wanted to ‘take a breath’ before deciding on penalty for Hilbert comments
• Sask. NDP wants answers on capacity issues at Regina General neonatal care unit

Once the changes take effect, municipalities and First Nations could opt in to new rules that would regulate the possession, storage and transport of items “potentially used as street weapons,” like large knives, machetes, bear spray and hypodermic needles.

“Including fentanyl, methamphetamine and hypodermic needles as categories of street weapons recognizes the significant risks these items present to public safety,” the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice explained in a statement.

“The government recognizes that many items used as street weapons have legitimate, legal purposes. The legislation contains appropriate exemptions to ensure these items can continue to be used for their lawful purposes, such as medical treatment, food preparation and protection from wildlife threats.”

Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s justice minister, said the provincial government is working to create safer communities for everyone in the province.

“This legislation represents a pivotal step in ensuring that public spaces remain places of enjoyment and comfort, free from intimidation, violence caused by street weapons and illicit drugs,” McLeod said in a statement.

The government said its multi-ministry approach to improving public safety includes $11.9 million for roughly 100 new municipal police officers, $2.5 million for the Saskatchewan Police College over the next three years, and updates to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act to provide more options to address nuisance properties.

Fentanyl, a powerful opioid painkiller, has been at the root of a major overdose crisis that seems to be centred in Saskatoon. In March alone, Saskatoon firefighters responded to 509 overdose calls or suspected overdose poisonings around the Bridge City.

Bear spray has also been used in numerous crimes.

Speaking on the Evan Bray Show on Monday, Jay Protz, a firefighter and president of the Saskatoon Firefighters Union Local 80, said he’s never seen so many incidents involving bear spray in the city.

Listen to the full interview with Protz:

According to Protz, part of the issue around bear spray is the fact it is legal to buy and readily available to criminals.

In March of 2024, the provincial government took steps aiming to curb the criminal use of bear spray in the province, making it illegal to deface or alter the cans and prohibiting the public from carrying the capsaicin-based irritant in urban public spaces like malls or city parks. Anyone charged with a crime involving bear spray could face a fine of up to $100,000.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk and the Evan Bray Show