Comparisons are being drawn between Premier Scott Moe’s perceptions of the trucking, COVID-19 mandates demonstrations and that of Indigenous protests in Regina.
Moe has supported the truckers early in their quest to have the federal government remove all remaining restrictions.
In a statement a few days ago, Moe acknowledged the concerns of the truckers, given the possibility of a potential protest at the Regway border crossing on Saturday.
“We support your right to peaceful protest and to have your voices heard. Advancing your concerns through public demonstrations and protests is an important part of our democracy,” read the statement.
While Moe did condemn the Ottawa protesters’ disgusting actions towards the Terry Fox statue and the memorial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, after being prompted by the media, he has been consistent in his support.
Many political leaders have denounced the protests calling them illegal and now occupations, with the Ontario government declaring a state of emergency to clear the blockage at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.
Yet that same support from Moe was not afforded to two Indigenous protests that occurred on the West Lawn of the Legislative grounds.
The Justice for Our Stolen Children Camp, which was advocating for better Indigenous child welfare policies, was immediately deemed illegal, as the organizers did not have proper Wascana Park permits, appearing to be in breach of bylaws.
Moe refused to meet with the protest group, instead having other ministers meet in Fort Qu’Appelle.
“Yes I do. There are laws in the park to ensure that the park is available for everyone’s use,” Moe said. “The fact that the protest we do see across the way is breaking laws and those laws should be enforced,” said Moe in June 2018.
The encampment lasted approximately 200 days, before a Regina court ordered the protesters to vacate the land.
In July 2020, northerner Tristen Durocher walked from Air Ronge to Regina raising awareness to northern youth suicides. Again the Sask. government went to court to evict the protest, claiming it violated bylaws. While a Regina court ruled the Wascana Park bylaws unconstitutional, it allowed Durocher to finish his 44-day fast in September.
The New Democrats see Moe’s positions as hypocritical. “Quite frankly, this is just another example of systemic racism, the differential treatment against indigenous people. So this, to me, is a prime example of how systemic racism is perpetuated in this province, and how [Moe] supports the old boys club to continue,” said Saskatoon MLA Betty Nippi-Albright. “If he’s propping up these individuals, then he also needs to give the same to Indigenous people that are fighting for their rights. He needs to do that. And more so in this province.”
(Photo of Prescott Demas at his teepee in Regina)