YORKTON - The Government of Saskatchewan has passed new regulations to empower police to enforce trespass laws in businesses and public spaces such as libraries and parks.
These changes are part of the province’s ongoing work to protect communities from the impact of illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine production, transportation, trafficking and street use.
Under The Trespass to Property Amendment Regulations, 2025, activities such as public intoxication and drug use will now be automatically considered trespassing in public spaces or businesses. This will allow police to immediately enforce the Act against individuals who are causing public disturbance or threatening public safety without seeking further information from owners and occupants of the premises.
" We continue to explore avenues that will provide police with additional legal tools to address harmful items and activities in public spaces, creating safer communities across the province,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said via a news release. "These regulations will ensure that police can act quickly to remove individuals who pose a threat to themselves and others, ensuring our public spaces and businesses remain safe and accessible."
Yorkton Mayor Aaron Kienle told Yorkton This Week having clearer authority for police is a positive.
“The City of Yorkton welcomes the Province’s updated Trespass Regulations, which provide police with clearer authority to address serious safety concerns in our public spaces and local businesses,” he said. “We anticipate these changes will allow law enforcement to act swiftly in situations involving substance abuse, violence, and other disruptive behaviours that can affect the safety and vibrancy of our community.”
Under the new Regulations, police will be able to remove someone and, if necessary, charge them with an offence under The Trespass to Property Act if they are engaged in the following activities:
* Public intoxication;
* Use of a controlled substance;
* Threatening to cause harm to persons and property through verbal, physical or other means;
* Public urination or defecation;
* Causing damage to premises or personal property located on the premises; and
* Any other activity that constitutes an offence pursuant to the Criminal Code.
Fentanyl and methamphetamine are increasingly the cause of overdose deaths, violent crime and community instability. These new regulatory changes represent another step in Saskatchewan's ongoing work to address the negative impact of addictions, and protect businesses and public spaces from illicit drug use and other dangerous activities.
SUMA president Randy Goulden, and a Councillor in Yorkton said public safety is of paramount concern to communities, but the new measures may not be the best response.
“Municipalities are on the frontlines of the addictions and mental health crisis in Saskatchewan as we continue to lose lives and face challenges to safety in our communities,” she told Yorkton This Week. “While we appreciate the Government’s commitment to addressing the negative impacts of addictions, we’re concerned that these measures may push marginalized community members into more unsafe situations. We urge the Government to also focus on the root causes of this epidemic and address the core needs of those experiencing addictions. We need much greater upfront investment in things like mental health support, social housing, and harm reduction services to reduce the incredible strain on our healthcare, policing, and correctional systems.”
Kienle too suggested some caution in terms to what the changes may mean in action.
“I want to be clear: Yorkton’s approach prioritizes both public safety and compassion,” he said. “Our goal is not to criminalize those struggling with substance abuse, houselessness, or mental health issues. Instead, we are committed to balancing enforcement with care and to ensuring that vulnerable individuals are treated with dignity and offered access to the support services they need.
As Yorkton implement these new regulations, Kienle said Yorkton will:
* Work closely with local police, bylaw, community organizations, and health partners to ensure enforcement is fair and equitable.
* Encourage officers to refer individuals in crisis to appropriate supports, using the new powers as a last resort in cases where public safety is at risk.
* Maintain an open dialogue with residents, businesses, and advocacy groups to monitor the impact and ensure these changes provide benefit without causing harm.
“We remain dedicated to building a Yorkton that is safe, inclusive, and compassionate, a city where every resident, including those most in need, can find both safety and support,” said the Mayor.
