Seven canisters of bear spray, still in their plastic wrapping. Four are red, three are black.

In March 2024, the provincial government announced new regulations aiming to reduce the number of criminal incidents involving bear spray. Anyone charged under the new regulations could face fines of up to $100,000. (Saskatoon Police Service/Submitted)

Saskatoon Police respond to two bear spray incidents on city transit buses

By CJME News Feb 26, 2025 | 5:43 PM

Bear spray continues to be a problem for police in Saskatoon.

On Tuesday evening, it responded to two different incidents of bear spray being used on City of Saskatoon Transit buses.

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The first incident happened shortly after 10 p.m. when police responded to a bus in the 300 block of Confederation Drive. It was reported that a group of youth used bear spray on a passenger before fleeing on foot.

An hour later, patrol officers were called to 20th Street West and Avenue O South where bear spray was reportedly used on a bus. The suspects fled before police arrived.

Saskatoon Police continue to investigate.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to contact Saskatoon Police at 306-975-8300 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Government legislation aims to reduce bear spray use

In March 2024, the provincial government announced new regulations aiming to reduce the number of criminal incidents involving bear spray.

The changes include regulations to restrict the possession of bear spray in public urban spaces, and a ban on altering bear spray in order to hide or disguise the product’s identity.

Anyone charged under the new regulations could face fines of up to $100,000.

Bear spray is a deterrent containing capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers. The canister releases a cone-shaped cloud of spray to a distance of approximately 10 m and at a speed of over 100 km/h. Capsaicin inflames the eyes and respiratory system of both animals and humans.

According to bearwise.org, the spray is oil-based, so first aid for bear spray is to wash off residue with soap and water, don’t rub your eyes or nose, and rinse your eyes with clean water until the irritation lessons. Effects generally wear off in about 45 minutes, the bear awareness site says.