A northern man occupying the west lawn of the Legislative grounds in Regina, protesting for greater government action on suicide prevention is not being evicted.
Tristen Durocher, after walking more than 600 kilometres from Air Ronge to Regina in July, setup a teepee on the lawn to begin his fast.
Not soon after the teepee was erected, Durocher was served with a notice of trespass on two bylaws in Wascana Park. The bylaws, Durocher was alleged to violate were overnight camping and fire setting.
Eleanor Sunchild, who is representing Durocher in Court of Queen’s Bench in Regina told the court Thursday that she intends to file a Constitutional Question and that she needs time to prepare that.
Sunchild agreed to file that notice by August 20. After that notice is filed, there is a two-week consideration period, pushing any future court hearings to Sept 3. The court adjourned to September 4 at 10 AM.
The government argued that it wanted the matter heard as quickly as possible as the occupation is daily violating a 2018 court order from the “Justice for Our Stolen Children” Camp which was ordered to vacate the west lawn.
Durocher has committed to leaving his fast on September 13.
The government suggested that the later the hearing is pushed back, that may moot their case. The judge acknowledged the tight deadline for a decision.
In court documents filed by the government, it is seeking the court order Durocher and his camp to leave and that the Regina Police Service aid in the enforcement of that court order.
(Photo: Tristen Durocher in front of his teepee. By Brandon White, LJI)