Murray Wood: The day Canada Became a nation
April 9, 1917 was Easter Monday. On that date, 109 years ago, Canadian soldiers made history at Vimy Ridge. Murray Wood ...
Police are investigating after a group of people allegedly fired bear spray after an incident on a Saskatoon Transit bus on Wednesday evening.
According to police, officers were called to the stationary bus on Preston Avenue South at around 6:15 p.m.
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“Upon arrival, officers learned that a group of young males had been disturbing a man on the bus before exiting the bus and discharging bear spray; the suspects then fled the area,” the police force said in a statement.
“The suspects and victim are not believed to be known to one another.”
What is bear spray?
Bear spray is a deterrent containing capsaicin, a chemical found in chili peppers. The canister releases a cone-shaped cloud of spray at a speed of over 100 km/h, approximately 10 m away. 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 the bear spray is to wash off the residue with soap and water, don’t rub your eyes or nose, and rinse your eyes with clean water until the irritation subsides. The effects generally wear off in about 45 minutes, the bear awareness site says.
Late in 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 to hide or disguise the product’s identity. Anyone charged under the new regulations could face fines of up to $100,000.
