Sask. government's legislative security move absent of answers

This week, the Saskatchewan government introduced a bill that would bring an end to the independent security structure at the legislative building. The minister responsible has not been able to address why the change is necessary.

For the last 37 years, the sergeant-at-arms has handled the security of the chamber, building and legislative grounds.

On Tuesday, without much notice to the opposition and no previous signal a change was needed, the Minister of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety Christine Tell introduced Bill 70, which would remove nearly all of the sergeants' security duties and replace him with a security director appointed by the minister.

The sergeant-at-arms would only have responsibility for security within the legislative chamber.

Tell said the changes were needed because of escalating protests and security threats inside and outside the building.

Despite being asked repeatedly by media and the opposition, Tell declined to give a single example, citing privacy.

She said the demonstration by anti-vaccination protestors on Oct. 27 that led to the cancellation of outdoor throne speech ceremonies was not the reason for the bill, and that it was "decided before that."

Tell did express on Wednesday that current security led by Sergeant-At-Arms Terry Quinn and a team of former police officers was not meeting the government's expectations.

"We haven't been able to get [concerns] addressed effectively and we'd rather be proactive in our security stance than reacting when something bad happens."

Opposition justice critic Nicole Sarauer pressed Tell for an explanation, asking why, if security threats are real, had the issue of building security not been addressed at a committee of members from both parties, as is typically the process.

When asked about the exclusion of the Opposition from discussions about security structure, Tell said "This is a government building, so, what can I say? We're the government."

The Opposition said the new bill moves a non-partisan security operation into a partisan security force. The current security team answers to the Speaker. Under the proposed legislation, the government would be in charge of the security force.

"We still have no clear answers from the minister of corrections. She can't seem to answer our questions."

Sarauer said Friday that the opposition wants to know "who is steering" the move for changes.