Most years the annual Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention can go by relatively unnoticed within the cities, even rural cities such as Yorkton.
This year, however, the convention garnered national attention with a controversial resolution that was quickly denounced by the Province, the RCMP and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.
The resolution, advanced by the Rural Municipality of Kindersley read:
鈥淲HEREAS crime has increased substantially in rural communities and whereas individuals do not have sufficient rights to protect themselves and property; BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Federal Government to expand the rights and justification for an individual to defend or protect himself, herself, and person under their care and their property.鈥�
It passed with 93 per cent of the vote.
Within hours, Gordon Wyant, Saskatchewan鈥檚 justice minister, said the Province would not support legislation that would allow people to 鈥渢ake law enforcement into their own hands.鈥�
Randy Trost, reeve of the local R.M. of Orkney, said that is not what it is about.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not saying people should take the law into their own hands, but people have a right to protect themselves,鈥� he said.
鈥淭here are not a lot of cops out here and this is not targeting anyone in particular. People just want more freedom to defend themselves and I think they deserve it.鈥�
The R.M. of Wallace also voted for the resolution, but Reeve Garry Liebrecht declined to comment.
He did say they knew it would be controversial, but that crime was a big problem in rural areas.
Ralph Goodale, the federal minister of public safety, was also quick to respond, praising Wyant鈥檚 position as 鈥渢houghtful.鈥�
鈥淲hile the frustration expressed in SARM鈥檚 resolution is understandable,鈥� Goodale said, 鈥渢he approach it suggests has failed to produce good results in other jurisdictions. Policing functions need to be performed by trained professionals.鈥�
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) condemned the resolution issuing a press release that the executive 鈥渋s shocked and disgusted at the violent intentions behind the resolution.鈥�
鈥淪ection 35 of the criminal code already has sufficient provisions for the protection of property,鈥� the release said. 鈥淣o property is more valuable than a human life, and the FSIN condemns any resolution that seeks to allow civilians to take the law into their hands.鈥�
The RCMP also issued a press release saying it would not take media requests for comments, but provided the following statement.
鈥淎s the provincial police force, it is our job to enforce the laws as they exist,鈥� the release stated. 鈥淭o help us do that, the RCMP urges property owners to consider prevention and safety first by: Securing property with strong locks and removing keys from vehicles; staying aware and observant; watching out for themselves and their neighbours; not attempting to confront or pursue suspects; and reporting crime/suspicious activity to police and being prepared to provide as much information as possible.
鈥淲e also strongly encourage communities to explore community policing programs such as Rural Crime Watch or Citizens on Patrol. Your local RCMP detachment has resources that can help you get started and will work with you to help develop these programs.鈥�
