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According to Moe, the dispute may continue even if the two sides reject his mediator. But he vowed that what he called “illegal activity” will not.

“If the government’s offer is turned down, it is my expectation that the Regina Police Service (RPS) will uphold the law, they will enforce the court order and they will remove the barricades at the refinery,” said Moe.

In a written statement, the RPS stressed the need for officers to exercise discretion in “how public safety is achieved in daily operations.

“For the effective functioning of a democracy, police must be independent of elected officials,” the statement said.

But it expressed concern about “the ongoing illegal actions and the violation of the court order” by union members.

“These matters remain the subject of ongoing investigation,” it continued. “As long as there are civil remedies available to resolve this situation, they must be fully explored by the involved parties.”

It said an upcoming contempt of court application this Thursday “is the appropriate mechanism for ending the blockade.”

The police statement argued that “at this time, the city is not in jeopardy.”

Photo by BRANDON HARDER / Regina Leader-Post

Speaking with reporters minutes after his speech, Moe acknowledged that police have the discretion to choose when and how they take action to enforce the law.

“Listen, law enforcement agencies are in this province for the reason to continue to ensure that our public is safe and to enforce the laws,” said Moe. “They make the discretion on what and when they do it. My ask is that law enforcement agencies continue to enforce the law in the province.”