Watch above: A new rule in a small Alberta community has raised eyebrows across the country and questions about legality. Aaron Streck asks Saskatoon residents how they would feel about being told not to swear or yell in public.
SASKATOON – With a population of over 8,000, Taber, Alta. is known as the corn capital of Canada. It’s also becoming recognized as the place you have to watch what you say and do or you’ll have to put your money where your mouth is.
“We did it for the best interest of our town, not to upset people but to protect people,” said Taber Mayor Henk De Vlieger.
Last Thursday, the town passed a Community Standards Bylaw outlawing among other things swearing, yelling and spitting in public. It isn’t 25 cents in a swear jar, a fine for foul language will run you $150.
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“We’re in a state now where individuals are much more critical of authority, nevertheless we need shared values as society to be able to move forward and we can impose values as Taber is trying to do or we can as a community affirm and talk about what values are important and how do we help people socialize into those values,” said Dr. Catherine Holtmann, an assistant sociology professor at the University of Saskatchewan.
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Saskatoon has had a public spitting bylaw since late 2004. It also has a urinating and defecating bylaw that comes with a $200 fine.
“Our officers in having the bylaws to enforce, actually have more tools in dealing with a variety of situations. It’s not often that they lay a charge under the spitting, urination and defecation bylaw but it has been done in the past,” said Saskatoon Police Service spokesperson Alyson Edwards.
As in Saskatoon, the Taber bylaw is expected to be enforced in extreme circumstances.
Red Deer has a similar bylaw which bans spitting, swearing and urinating in public.
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