RM of Rosthern passes bylaw to regulate conduct from 'difficult individuals' toward council, staff
A new bylaw governing interactions between the Rural Municipality of Rosthern Council and the public might be over-reaching, according to both a resident and a University of Saskatchewan professor.
The bylaw, passed Tuesday, addresses some concerns of safety and harassment. It prohibits members of the public from conduct which causes another person to fear for their safety; repeatedly following from place to place a member of the RM council or staff; or watching the home or place of work of a member of the RM.
But a resident of Neuanlage, which falls in the RM, said she’s concerned that the bylaw also labels submitting inquiries or requests for service that are “frivolous or vexatious” as inappropriate conduct.
“It seems like a lot of overreach for what they need,” said Sara Unger.
“There are already laws in place against harassment and that sort of thing but it just feels like this gets us to a place where it discourages anyone from bringing a legitimate concern to the RM.”
Unger added she’s afraid her requests for service from council might be seen as frivolous in council’s view and it could land her in trouble.
“They are the ones deciding what is frivolous and what is vexatious and not listening to the public when we are bringing concerns forward,” Unger said.
Associate professor of sociology at the University of Saskatchewan Scott Thompson said he sees an issue with council deciding both what is inappropriate conduct as well as enforcing the bylaw.
“This makes them both the makers of the rule and the judges of the application and in our society that’s a distinction or a separation we have in our justice system, not having the people that make the rules enforce them,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the bylaw may create a barrier to those who bring legitimate concerns to council if council deems them as frivolous.
“Yes this will make things more efficient if you can stop people from speaking, however in a democracy sometimes things aren’t efficient and this inefficiency is important to ensure we hear the voices of all people within our society,” Thompson said.
He said if a member of the public is deemed as inappropriately emailing, calling and interacting with elected officials, RM council may take these methods of communication away, forcing individuals in different directions to have their voices heard.
Thompson said there’s a long-standing tradition in social justice in making change through non-violent disruption of processes.
“And this is the concern, if you take this tool away people are going to have to turn to other types of solutions in order to make themselves heard by the council.”
Unger, she tells CTV News she’s not confident the officials elected to office will deal with the tough decisions, rather than sweeping them under the rug.
“They are in the public service position it is literally their job to listen to the public and take our concerns seriously and to deal with them,” Unger said.
The RM council said in a statement to CTV News that the bylaw would be a secondary option in “dealing with difficult individuals” in “extreme circumstances.”
“To date, the kind of conduct that would be regulated by the proposed bylaw has been addressed on an ad hoc basis,” the statement said.
“At the recommendation of the Ombudsman Saskatchewan, and after having to defend itself (successfully) in court, it is the strong preference of the RM to have a clear bylaw that allows the RM to be able to deal with these sorts of serious concerns, and which provides appropriate guidance to elected officials, staff and members of the public in terms of what sorts of communications are appropriate and what recourse the RM may have in the event that these guidelines are not adhered to.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.