Minister says Sask. legislative building security threats have not been addressed effectively, plans overhaul
CBC
Saskatchewan's minister of public safety is defending a bill that would scrap the security structure in and around the province's legislative building, saying the current team, led by the sergeant-at-arms, is not addressing concerns effectively.
Christine Tell introduced Bill 70 on Tuesday, which would see a director of legislative security appointed by the corrections minister.
Since 1984, a security team has been overseen by the sergeant-at-arms, who reports to the Speaker and operates independently of the political parties.
The proposed bill would remove most of the sergeant's responsibilities, instead tasking a new security head and new team. The sergeant-at-arms would continue to have responsibility for security within the legislative chamber, but not the rest of the building or its grounds.
On Wednesday, Tell was asked to cite specific cases or incidents that have precipitated the proposed changes to security, but she declined to give details.
The government has had "a number of incidents reported to us," she said. "Some of them we have witnessed and some of them we've been involved in, and some we've received from staff and the public."
Those incidents were not handled by the current security staff to the government's liking, Tell said.
"We haven't been able to get them addressed effectively and we'd rather be proactive in our security stance than reacting when something bad happens."
The sergeant and his staff "do what they know or think or believe to be the best thing to do," she said.
The proposed changes are not an effort to reduce security costs, said Tell.
The Opposition NDP's justice critic says if the government has security concerns, they should be discussed at a meeting of the Board of Internal Economy, a non-partisan committee.
"When the minister says 'proactive' it worries me the minister is saying the government believes there should have been dispersing of protests or arrests that haven't been made," Nicole Sarauer said Wednesday.
"I have full confidence and trust in the work of the Regina Police Service and the sergeant-at-arms who understand the rules around lawful protest and our charter. They make sure these protests are peaceful."
During question period Wednesday, sergeant-at-arms Terry Quinn listened from his seat on the floor to a debate about the future of his staff and his duties.
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