Premier, justice minister reserving action and reaction on Wascana Park protest decision

Premier Scott Moe is keeping his own counsel on what might be done regarding the Provincial Capital Commission’s bylaws after a decision from a Regina justice said they should be changed.

On Friday, Justice Graeme Mitchell released his decision allowing protester Tristen Durocher to continue and finish his protest and fast at the teepee that had been erected in Wascana Park.

The PCC had tried to force Durocher to leave, citing several of its bylaws governing the park.

However, in his decision given in short on Friday, Mitchell agreed with Durocher that the bylaws infringed on his Charter rights.

On Monday, Moe didn’t give his opinion on the decision, saying his feelings are irrelevant.

He said the government is waiting for the more detailed decision which is yet to come on the matter.

“We respect the decision that the judge has made at this point … Upon receiving those details, the Ministry of Justice will recommend any decisions that the government should make at that point in time,” said Moe.

Justice Minister Don Morgan said the province’s goal is to maintain laws that are constitutional and appropriate and that serve the people of the province.

“We’ll continue to monitor what the courts say and make appropriate changes as is required,” said Morgan.

Along with about 200 other people, Justice Mitchell visited Durocher’s camp on Sunday for the ceremony ending the protest and fast.

When asked what he thought of the justice being there, considering that he ruled on the case and is still writing the longer decision, Morgan said it was unusual and that the justice’s “actions speak for themselves,” but also that it wouldn’t be appropriate for the government to comment on his actions.

“What our role is is to wait until after his final judgment is rendered, review it carefully and decide next steps for the province at that point,” said Morgan.

Morgan also said he would leave it to the chief justice and the courts to make any determination about the appropriateness of Justice Mitchell’s actions.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Logan Stein