Opposition wants 'unprecedented' bill overhauling security at Sask. legislative building pulled

Saskatchewan's Opposition is calling a bill that would overhaul legislative building security unprecedented and is vowing to fight its passage.

If passed, Bill 70 — titled An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly Act 2007 — would change the way the building has been protected by replacing the security team overseen by the sergeant-at-arms. It would remove most of the sergeant's responsibilities, instead tasking a new security head and new team. 

"We are not aware of any security concerns that would have necessitated this bill," said NDP justice critic Nicole Sarauer.

The bill, which came into the assembly Tuesday under House leader Jeremy Harrison's name and was introduced by Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Christine Tell, indicates a director of legislative security would be appointed by the corrections minister.

Currently, the sergeant-at-arms reports to the Speaker, operating independently of the political parties.

The bill defines the legislative district to mean all areas in and around the Saskatchewan Legislative Building except for the chamber, which is defined in the act as a "legislative precinct."

The bill would continue to allow the sergeant-at-arms the responsibility of security within the legislative chamber or precinct but not the rest of the building or its grounds.

Sarauer said the issue of building security is bipartisan and should have been discussed at the Board of Internal Economy — a committee of members from government and the Official Opposition.

"It's coming out of left field, from our perspective," Sarauer said. "This is unprecedented for us, to have legislation on building security come forward in a partisan way."

Sarauer said the Opposition has "no concerns" about how security has been handled inside or outside the building.

"If we didn't think that this building was safe, I wouldn't have brought my three-week-old in here last spring. I've got members on my side who bring their babies in here almost weekly."

She said the Opposition has "no knowledge of any sort of unprecedented security concern. If there is one that the government isn't telling us about, then shame on them."

If there were specific threats, those should have been shared with all staff working in the building after being assessed by the sergeant-at-arms, she said.

"And if there isn't one and they're using that as an excuse to make the security in this building partisan and answerable to government rather than the independent branch of the speaker like it is right now, [that] is absolutely abhorrent."