Saskatchewan legislation meant to crack down on drugs and street weapons, coming into effect Friday

WATCH: A new provincial law meant to protect communities against street weapons and dangerous drugs will take effect on Friday. Wayne Mantyka reports.

New provincial legislation meant to protect communities in Saskatchewan from dangerous drugs and street weapons will come into effect on Friday.

Under “The Safe Public Spaces Act,” it will be illegal to possess transport, store, deface, or alter items that may be used as street weapons, such as bear spray, knives, and hypodermic needles without an appropriate reason, according to a news release from the province on Thursday.

The act will also prohibit dangerous drugs, such as methamphetamine and fentanyl in public spaces.

The new law will not be applied across the board, as individual municipalities and First Nations have the choice to opt in by passing a local bylaw, thereby giving police enhanced powers to seize the items from people in public spaces where there is a threat to public safety – regardless of whether charges are laid.

Those in breach of the rules can be charged with a provincial offence and be subject to a fine of up to $5,000, face imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

“The coming-into-force of this Act will empower law enforcement and give them an important tool to appropriately address individuals that use street weapons to intimidate or harm people in public spaces,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said in the release.

Public spaces may include public buildings, parks, playgrounds, any land or building entered without consent of the owner, common areas of condominiums or apartments, unoccupied land or buildings, or vehicles travelling through public spaces, according to the province.