Self defence resolution causes controversy

Most years the annual Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention can go by relatively unnoticed within the cities, even rural cities such as Yorkton.

This year, however, the convention garnered national attention with a controversial resolution that was quickly denounced by the Province, the RCMP and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

The resolution, advanced by the Rural Municipality of Kindersley read:

“WHEREAS crime has increased substantially in rural communities and whereas individuals do not have sufficient rights to protect themselves and property; BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Federal Government to expand the rights and justification for an individual to defend or protect himself, herself, and person under their care and their property.“

It passed with 93 per cent of the vote.

Within hours, Gordon Wyant, Saskatchewan’s justice minister, said the Province would not support legislation that would allow people to “take law enforcement into their own hands.”

Randy Trost, reeve of the local R.M. of Orkney, said that is not what it is about.

“It’s not saying people should take the law into their own hands, but people have a right to protect themselves,” he said.

“There are not a lot of cops out here and this is not targeting anyone in particular. People just want more freedom to defend themselves and I think they deserve it.”

The R.M. of Wallace also voted for the resolution, but Reeve Garry Liebrecht declined to comment.

He did say they knew it would be controversial, but that crime was a big problem in rural areas.

Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of public safety, was also quick to respond, praising Wyant’s position as “thoughtful.”

“While the frustration expressed in SARM’s resolution is understandable,” Goodale said, “the approach it suggests has failed to produce good results in other jurisdictions. Policing functions need to be performed by trained professionals.”

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) condemned the resolution issuing a press release that the executive “is shocked and disgusted at the violent intentions behind the resolution.”

“Section 35 of the criminal code already has sufficient provisions for the protection of property,” the release said. “No property is more valuable than a human life, and the FSIN condemns any resolution that seeks to allow civilians to take the law into their hands.”

The RCMP also issued a press release saying it would not take media requests for comments, but provided the following statement.

“As the provincial police force, it is our job to enforce the laws as they exist,” the release stated. “To help us do that, the RCMP urges property owners to consider prevention and safety first by: Securing property with strong locks and removing keys from vehicles; staying aware and observant; watching out for themselves and their neighbours; not attempting to confront or pursue suspects; and reporting crime/suspicious activity to police and being prepared to provide as much information as possible.

“We also strongly encourage communities to explore community policing programs such as Rural Crime Watch or Citizens on Patrol. Your local RCMP detachment has resources that can help you get started and will work with you to help develop these programs.”