Saskatoon Considers Ban on Shit-Talking in Public

If you have something nasty to say about that dickhole Larry from Saskatoon, you better yell it out now.

As part of an anti-bullying bylaw, talking shit about another person repetitively in public may soon become illegal in Saskatoon. The proposed law, which would apply to anyone over 12 years old, also prohibits name-calling, rumour-mongering, taunting, and shunning, among other related bullying techniques. Under the bylaw, those found to be engaging in bullying could be fined up to $300 for a first offence and up to $2,500 for any following offences. Though the bylaw would apply to adults as well, the city has proposed a special version targeted at schools. "I love it," retired Saskatoon police sergeant Brian Trainor told the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. "I think it's an intermediary tool that the police can use instead of a slap on the wrist or doing nothing." The bylaw not only applies in traditional public places like on the street or in parks, but also in businesses like bars. Expecting drunk people to filter insulting comments and aggression seems a bit lofty if you've ever been to a bar, you know, like ever. This is not the first time a Canadian city has considered more closely regulating behaviour of its citizens in public. In the same province, Regina enacted an anti-bullying bylaw a decade ago. And in the small town of Taber, Alberta last year, both swearing and yelling in public were banned. The anti-bullying bylaw proposal will be considered by Saskatoon city council on Monday, March 21. Follow Allison Tierney on Twitter.