Bear spray incidents continue even after new regulations in Sask.

It has been six weeks since the Saskatchewan government introduced new bear spray regulations, but the use of bear spray still seems to be a problem.

In March, the province said the regulations would restrict the possession of capsaicin-containing wildlife control products in public urban spaces. The regulations also prohibit people from defacing or altering bear spray to disguise it.

Earlier this month, police in Saskatoon responded to three different bear spray incidents in one day.

On Sunday, Regina police said they were investigating a bear spray incident that happened on Saturday night at the Brandt Centre during the First Nations University of Canada’s Spring Celebration Powwow.

Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre acknowledged Monday that incidents keep happening, but said the new measures have been helpful to police officers.

“What we always said and what law enforcement has told us and continues to tell us is that it provides them an additional tool — a very important additional tool,” Eyre told reporters at a media event.

“If you’re in an urban situation – a mall, a Brandt Centre (or) a swimming pool — and you’re carrying bear spray, (it’s) unlikely that you’ll be encountering any large animals including bears at the Brandt Centre.”

Penalties for violating the regulations are up to the discretion of police officers. Those found in violation could face a fine of up to $100,000.

Eyre said she didn’t know how many people have had to face penalties under the new rules yet and said she didn’t know if anyone has been hit with the $100,000 fine as of Monday.

“I have not seen the most up-to-date numbers subsequent to our announcement last month but we’ll be watching those and certainly we’ll be following up,” Eyre said.

Eyre has previously said those found in possession of bear spray in public urban spaces could be subject to the penalties even if they are not caught in the act of using it.

On Monday, the Regina Police Service said it was unable to find anyone in Regina who had been charged under the Wildlife Control (Capsaicin) Products Regulations as of yet, but it was aware of incidents under the Criminal Code of Canada for weapons and assault charges.

Police said since incidents are not broken down by “bear spray,” the data will have to be manually found.

The Saskatoon Police Service said it hadn’t laid any charges or issued any tickets since the new regulations were introduced.

The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police said it was aware of only one instance of the regulations being applied and it was in Prince Albert. However, the individual in question has yet to give a plea.

According to the province, there have been 3,000 calls to police about bear spray over the past five years. Of those calls, 968 were recorded in Saskatoon, 676 were in Regina, 671 were in Prince Albert and 736 were to RCMP.

It’s not known how many resulted in conviction.