Manitoba Smoking Bylaw Decision Won’t Impact Sask.

Friday, September 15, 2006 at 14:57

 

 

A recent decision by the Manitoba government to strike down smoking on reserves will likely have little impact here, according to a director with Saskatchewan Health.

 

George Peters says Saskatchewan did not create an exemption for on-reserve puffers when it created its own legislation — something Manitoba did.

 

That exemption was recently struck down by a Manitoba judge, leaving its reserves in violation of the regulations.

 

However, Peters says all Manitoba First Nations have to do to get around the new rules is create their own legislation, like bands here in Saskatchewan did.

 

He says band bylaws fall under the Indian Act, and as such, supercede provincial legislation.

 

Peters adds the only thing that could stop Manitoba bands from getting around the regulations is intervention from Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice.