After rash of disturbances, Saskatchewan restricting bear spray in public urban areas

REGINA — The Saskatchewan government is bringing in stricter laws around bear spray following a rash of disturbances over the past year at public pools, shopping malls and midways. 

Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre says that people won’t be able to spray the product in urban public spaces and could face fines of up to $100,000. They also can’t alter the product to hide that it’s bear spray.

“Right now, bear spray is far too easy to get a hold of,” Eyre said.

“Bear spray incidents create fear, they diminish public safety, they lead to injuries and disrupt the day-to-day operations of businesses, public events and facilities across the province.”

Last summer, on the opening day of a new outdoor pool in Regina, someone used bear spray on patrons. Police in Regina also regularly report each year of people being sprayed at the annual midway. 

Eyre said in Saskatoon a few weekends ago, a mall food court had to be cleared twice in an afternoon.

“We’ve been hearing loud and clear for a while now that something in this area has to be done,” she said.

Paul Merriman, the minister of corrections, policing and public safety, said there have been about 3,000 reports of bear spray in Saskatchewan over the last five years. 

Most of those were in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert, he added.

Eyre said the regulations are meant to improve public safety and provide law enforcement with more options, as officers can use their discretion to charge someone if they are carrying bear spray. 

Eyre said people can still buy the product, but they must keep it at home.

She added the regulations don’t apply to rural and northern areas, and hunters and hikers there can continue to carry bear spray for their safety. 

Regina police say those who buy bear spray from retailers in the city must show identification that they are 18 years or older and sign a waiver with their address. Retailers can also deny a sale of the product to anyone.

Rich Lowen, the Estevan police chief and president of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police, said criminals are buying or stealing it.

They are also ordering it online, he added.

“I think its availability is an issue in terms of how people have gotten in urban areas and carried it in urban areas,” he said.

Lowen said the regulations strike a balance in ensuring people who need bear spray can still buy it.

“Possession in urban areas is a good place to start, and we’ll see how it evolves from there.”

Eyre said the regulations apply to cities with 5,000 people or more. Smaller communities can still inquire about bringing the rules to their municipalities, she added.

The province says people can carry bear spray in urban areas under certain circumstances, but they need to demonstrate a reasonable need to do so. For example, they may need it if a bear was recently seen in their community.

The regulations don’t apply to products that contain lower concentrations of the hot pepper-derived substance capsaicin, such as dog spray. 

Other jurisdictions in Canada have introduced stricter rules around bear spray due to it being used more often to cause public disturbances. 

Last year, Manitoba changed bear spray rules requiring customers to show photo identification and specify the intended use. Vendors also have to register the serial number for the sale of two or more cans. 

Vancouver city council last year passed a bylaw prohibiting the sale of bear spray to anyone under 19, and stores have to keep the product locked. Retailers there can also keep records of who’s purchasing bear spray.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2024.

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press