Changes could be coming to how peaceful protests are conducted on the grounds at the Legislative Assembly.
On Friday, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Graeme Mitchell ruled the bylaws governing Wascana Park were unconstitutional.
He gave the province six months to rewrite the bylaws. It is unknown if the provincial government will appeal that ruling.
The significant decision, brought on when Northern Métis man Tristen Durocher began his hunger strike in late July to raise awareness to suicide prevention.
He established a teepee, sacred fire, alter and a photography gallery around his teepee of people who have taken their own lives.
Mitchell decided that Durocher’s Charter Rights to freedom of religion, expression and peaceful assembly violated based on a set of bylaws which appeared to be inflexible.
Now a northern MLA said he’s open to the idea of a dedicated area for peaceful protests without applying for a permit.
“I think in making it very clear, and even Tristen articulated it well about being respectful and peaceful. To that, if it’s done with respect, I’m open definitely to hearing the ideas,” Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette said.
Vermette said that consultation on what that would look like needs to occur before decisions are made. He praised Durocher for his powerful message, and staying focused on why he was doing his hunger strike.
Vermette explained that he was hopeful that more Indigenous ceremonies take place in the future and that it is a good opportunity for the government to demonstrate reconciliation by creating a protest space.