Bill to overhaul Sask. legislature security poised to pass
CBC
The Saskatchewan government will soon pass Bill 70, which will overhaul security in and around the legislative building.
The current security structure in which the sergeant-at-arms oversees security and is appointed by and answerable to the Speaker has been in place for more than 30 years.
The opposition proposed an amendment to the bill, which would continue to have the Speaker appoint the head of security and for that person to report to the Speaker.
It has raised concerns that the new security team would be "partisan."
"We want the security in this building and the people of Saskatchewan want the security of this building to remain as it has been for over 30 years, which is independent of government interference," said Opposition justice critic Nicole Sarauer.
Christine Tell, minister of corrections, policing, and public safety, said Monday the government is not interested in changing the bill.
Bill 70 will see a security director appointed by the government, leaving the sergeant in charge of security and safety only inside the assembly. The director will hire at least 10 officers who will be uniformed and armed.
The current structure has the sergeant in charge of a team of four to five plainclothes security officers and responsible for safety in and around the building.
"The purpose of Bill 70 is to enhance the security of the legislative building and surrounding area," Tell said during committee on Monday night.
She said any claims that the security service would be partisan as "false" and "misinformation."
Tell said the officers would fall under her ministry as highway patrol and corrections officers do.
Tell and Premier Scott Moe have defended the bill since it was introduced in the fall. Tell has said repeatedly "the world has changed" and so must the security in the building.
Both have insisted the bill is not about clamping down on protests.
"I'm a very strong proponent of safe, legal protest that people have a right to do it. People do not have a right without accountability to commit any criminal offences," Tell said Monday.
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