Rent reduced for Riders, early budget items approved by Regina Council
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Council retroactively slashed $1.33 million in rent owed by the Roughriders.
Government and First Nations leaders are continuing to react to a resolution calling for more property and self-defence rights for people living in rural Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) passed the resolution Tuesday, instructing SARM to lobby the federal government to expand the rights of property owners to allow them to protect themselves, their family and their belongings from intruders.
The resolution, proposed by the Rural Municipality of Kindersley, passed with 93 per cent support.
“I think the rural people feel pretty much defenceless,” SARM president Ray Orb told radio host John Gormley Wednesday.
“It stems from frustration (over rural crime). They want to be able to protect their property better.”
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) strongly condemned the resolution in a statement released Tuesday.
“We at the FSIN believe that this resolution propels and encourages violence,” wrote vice-chief Kim Jonathan.
“Any strengthening of the rights of individuals to defend their property will result in an increase in violent confrontation and the deaths of more innocent people … No property is more valuable than a human life.”
On Wednesday, Saskatchewan Justice Minister Gordon Wyant criticized the resolution, echoing the FSIN’s concerns over vigilantism.
“We’ve seen some devastating results in the United States where they have stand your ground legislation,” he told reporters.
“It’s certainly not something we’re particularly supportive of.”
RCMP neutral on rural crime resolution
The RCMP offered no comment on the resolution itself, but in a statement Wednesday said, “As the provincial police force, it is our job to enforce the laws as they exist.”
The statement went on to say property owners can do their part by securing property, being observant and reporting crime and suspicious activity.
Additionally, the force encouraged communities to explore other resources such as rural crime watch or citizens on patrol programs.