Regina police chief speaks more about protests targeting Saskatchewan’s top doctor

This month, Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer was seen escorted to his vehicle by security as he was followed by anti-mask protesters at the Legislative Building.

Last week, protesters gathered near Dr. Saqib Shahab’s house in Regina.

Speaking to Gormley guest host Drew Remenda on Thursday, Regina Police Chief Evan Bray talked about the police investigation into those protests.

“There’s an investigation that has to happen to determine how did they find out where the doctor lived, what were the actions, what were they saying and what was said on social media prior to (the incident and) how was this organized,” Bray said.

Then, Bray revealed that conversations about the safety of the province’s top doctor date even further back before the incidents this month.

“We’ve had numerous conversations with the doctor,” Bray said. “In fact, the conversation started about six weeks ago. It didn’t just start on Saturday.”

The police chief said officers are familiar with the protesters and the RPS has been “proactively been in touch” with them.

“We know there’s a possible another protest coming this weekend,” Bray said.

Bray said police were speaking with some of the protesters Wednesday, warning them about the consequences if they do not follow public health orders, “along with ensuring we’ve got some safety plans in place for anybody who might have compromised safety as a result of these discussions that are happening.”

The investigation into Saturday’s protest is nearly complete, with police working with prosecutors to determine if any laws were broken, Bray said.

He said the challenge with the protest is that it took place on a public sidewalk, which is covered under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

“I’ve obviously heard from lots of people, ‘Yeah, it’s different though when it’s in front of a person’s house. That becomes harassment,’ ” Bray said. “Well, you know, harassment — in the Webster’s dictionary version versus Criminal Code culpability — is not exactly the same thing.”

If somebody were to pick up a brick and throw it through a window, police would be free to move in and arrest somebody, Bray said.

Meanwhile, the police service said Thursday it has issued 17 tickets to individuals for violations of public health orders put it place due to COVID-19. All of the tickets were for $2,800.