Wexit petition drive won't be allowed on property at Saskatoon mall: manager

Managers at a Saskatoon mall say members of a western separatist movement planning to gather petition signatures there this weekend are not welcome.

Eric Wall, one of the organizers of Wexit Saskatchewan, says the group plans to have pop-up booths in Saskatoon at Princess Auto on Idylwyld Drive and Canadian Tire at the Confederation Mall this weekend.

Dave Palmer, manager of the Canadian Tire at that location, said that while the mall controls the parking lot, Canadian Tire will make sure the Wexiters aren't in the store.

The mall's property manager said there will be added security to make sure the separatists aren't set up anywhere on the property.

Wall said if they're not wanted on mall property, they'll set up to a sidewalk.

Dan Verville, a spokesperson for Princess Auto, said the petitioners will not be allowed on the business's property, including the parking lot.

Premier Moe repeats opposition to separation 

On Sunday, during the Western Final of the Canadian Football League, members of the Wexit movement were outside Mosaic Stadium in Regina to promote the creation of a Wexit Saskatchewan party.

Wexit leader Peter Downing has said he plans to run federal candidates under the name Wexit Canada and provincial candidates in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the hope of holding future referendums on separation in those provinces.

A spokesperson for Premier Scott Moe said that "while Premier Moe has indicated that he does not support separation, we respect the right of all Saskatchewan residents to express their frustrations and opinions, and to do so by exercising their rights and freedoms by participating in our democratic system." 

The spokesperson went on to say the government "recognize the frustrations behind these sentiments are real, and have been caused largely by damaging policies introduced by the federal government over the last four years."