Saskatoon police granted more authority to seize drugs, street weapons under new bylaw

Saskatoon police have been granted more authority to seize drugs and street weapons in public spaces under a new city bylaw.

Saskatoon City Council has unanimously passed a bylaw giving police more authority to seize drugs and street weapons from people in public spaces if there’s a threat to public safety, regardless of whether charges are laid.

The bylaw follows new provincial legislation, The Safe Public Spaces Act, which came into effect Aug. 1.

Under the act it’s illegal to possess, transport, store, deface or alter items that may be used as street weapons, such as bear spray, knives, and hypodermic needles, without an appropriate reason.

The act also prohibits dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces.

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The ruling is not applied across the board, and municipalities and First Nations have the choice to opt in by passing a local bylaw.

The Saskatoon Police Service asked city council to opt in, which was unanimously approved Wednesday.

While the provincial law was framed as a measure to crack down on drug traffickers, critics say it unfairly targets vulnerable drug users, and not those who actually profit from sale of illicit drugs.