‘Disappointing:’ Canada Day events relocated due to protest

Ahead of Canada Day celebrations on Sunday, there are a few changes to events around the Saskatchewan legislature.

The Provincial Capital Commission(PCC) on three occasions have asked Regina police to enforce the law and remove the structures that are in place in Wascana Park as part of a protest.

“It is disappointing that last minute changes are necessary to an event that requires year-round planning because of an unpermitted and illegal protest,” PCC Executive Director Carrie Ross said in a release. “We have bylaws and permits in place to ensure Wascana Park is available for everyone to use in a safe manner, and we are again asking the Regina Police Service to enforce the law.”

Because of the protest taking place, much of the planned events will be moved north, across Wascana Lake.

The main stage, kid zone, food trucks, beer gardens and pancake breakfast will now be held behind the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.

However, when it comes to the 14th annual Plywood Cup, the event will remain in the same spot near the south end of the Albert Street bridge. Organizers from the Canadian Progress Club said along with the building area for the boats, there will be a beer garden.

In an email, the Justice for our Stolen Children camp calls the response from PCC disappointing.

“To hear that the Provincial Government articulated in a news release issued today (Wednesday) that they are trying to forcibly remove the camp just as talks were negotiated,” the release stated.

“This seems to illustrate that the government is entering into the talks in bad faith. The government is using the media to pressure the local police and incite the public to force the camp to come down.”

The release also said the Canada Day organizers told the camp that over a month ago they were happy to move the festivity north of the lake, which is anything but last minute.

The release also stated a forced removal is an act of violence and bad faith.