Health mandate protesters near Sask. Legislature leave after police issue more than 30 tickets

A protest that began near the Saskatchewan Legislative Building Saturday slowly moved on Sunday evening after Regina police began issuing tickets to several vehicles last night.

The convoy of anti-COVID mandate protesters had been blocked from entering the legislature grounds, but dozens of vehicles, including some big rig trucks, blocked a northbound lane on Albert Street over the weekend. 

Among other things, the protesters are calling for an end to all COVID-related restrictions in the province — and had vowed to stay until their demands were met.

Premier Scott Moe has already promised to lift all restrictions soon.

The organizer of the protest, Tamara Lavoie, was live on Facebook for more than four hours as members of the Regina Police Service (RPS) attempted to end the protest.

Deputy police chief Dean Rae said officers had monitored the protest over the weekend, eventually deciding it was "in the interest of the city" for the protest to move on from one of the busiest streets in Regina ahead of Monday morning. 

"It was a very well behaved crowd, and we really had no issues. This crowd was quite a bit smaller and I would suggest maybe a little more agitated and a little more upset with the police," Rae said.

In the Facebook Live video, it's clear several of the gathered vehicles left after police showed up and began handing out tickets.

In a statement issued on Monday, the RPS said officers had issued 30 parking tickets and two traffic safety act tickets over the course of the weekend. 

No arrests were made Sunday night and the last vehicle had moved out of the area by midnight, police said. 

On Lavoie's Facebook stream, a person can be heard saying they would be back Monday morning with the goal of impeding traffic during a busy morning commute. 

As of 11:00 a.m. CST, no protestors were visible on Albert Street.

By the afternoon, a small group had returned to the still-blocked off entrance to Legislative Drive.

Rae said the RPS has a simple message for those who want to protest.

"Have your protest. Keep it lawful, keep it respectful, and we will do the same on our side of things and we will ensure their ability to have those," the deputy police chief said. 

A second protest called Take Action Against COVID was held over the weekend. 

Organizers for that event called on the provincial government to maintain the public health measures that Moe is planning to abandon. 

In an advisory issued late yesterday, the Provincial Capital Commission said to continue to ensure traffic and public safety around the Frost Festival Hub in Wascana Centre, roadways in the area will continue to be exclusively for pedestrians at this time.

Concrete barricades currently block vehicles from accessing the Legislative Building. 

In co-ordination with Regina police, the Provincial Capital Commission said it will monitor the situation and make decisions about traffic in the area daily.

The Legislature remains closed for public visits at this time.