Government of Sask, NDP and CUPE continue to spar over issue of library safety

The topic of library safety in Saskatchewan has recently sparked political controversy. Hallee Mandryk reports.

A comment made by Social Services Minister Terry Jenson regarding library safety has prompted criticism from the Saskatchewan NDP and the union representing library workers.

The conflict comes after Jenson was asked if he planned to visit libraries in the province which have seen a string of violent events.

“They’ve raised the concern, that it’s a law enforcement issue. If they’re feeling harmed, it’d be no different than, you know, if somebody’s feeling harmed. Working at 7-Eleven. You know, does that mean I should go talk to the individual at the 7-Eleven?” Jenson said to media following question period on Tuesday.

Since the comments were shared, the provincial NDP criticized the response. Going as far as challenging Jenson to work a shift at Saskatoon’s downtown library.

“It was embarrassing. It showed that the minister neither understands nor takes seriously the concerns of library workers. Something that shouldn’t be news to him, in terms of persistent and escalating concerns when it comes to the violence that library workers are facing,” Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said.

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During session on Wednesday, the matter was again brought to the floor. Jenson read aloud a statement regarding the topic.

“Our government takes all matters of public and workplace safety to of the utmost importance. This is why our government has made significant investments into street outreach programs, funding additional police officers, alternative response officers and complex needs facilities ... We’re working on 500 more treatment spaces across the province. As I said yesterday in the media scrum, Mr. Speaker, violence in the workplace is completely, completely unacceptable, no matter the workplace,” he said.

When NDP officials reiterated the proposition of working in a Saskatoon library, Jenson did not respond, but Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Lorri Carr spoke to the matter.

“I know that my colleague would be more than happy to do that. And he has confirmed with me that he would,” Carr said.

Neither Carr nor Jenson were available to media following question period.

Instances of visitors overdosing, staff being assaulted, and an instance of a library worker evading a kidnapping attempt while walking to their car were all cited as challenges library workers have been dealing with.

However, the Regina Public Library (RPL) disputed a statement made by CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson on Tuesday – inferring that library staff members have “lost fingers” in machete attacks.

Peterson was speaking about issues connected to those experiencing homelessness and addiction.

“Those folks are coming into the library because they have no other place to go. There aren’t supports and services available for them in other places outside of Saskatoon. We’ve had members lose fingers because of machete attacks, and the list goes on. Sometimes police are involved, sometimes they’re not,” he said Tuesday.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Regina Public Library (RPL) provided details surrounding the apparent machete incident Peterson was referring to.

According to RPL, the incident occurred in 2023 and did not involve staff but rather a member of the public.

RPL said the incident began outside the library and subsequently moved into the building’s entrance.

The matter was turned over to the Regina Police Service. RPL did not disclose which of its locations the incident occurred at. However, previous reporting suggests the incident occurred at RPL’s central branch in downtown Regina.

Peterson addressed the issue on Wednesday, sharing that while the specific instance was miscommunicated, it still exemplifies the kind of issues library staff are seeing.

“It impacted our members. Folks that work in those places or near those places that see that happening, that has a psychological impact,” he said. “It creates a dangerous workplace for them and so it was raised as an example of the types of stuff that we’re seeing across the province.”