The leader of the Canadian Nationalist Party is now being held in custody.
Judge Michelle Brass ruled last week that Travis Patron of Redvers, now with five separate charges against him along with multiple charges of breaching conditions, will remain in custody.
Patron was arrested for the second time in 10 days on March 28 after allegedly breaking into the Redvers Legion Hall.
On March 19, the Carlyle RCMP was called when Patron was allegedly causing a disturbance at the Legion Hall and refused to leave.
Then, on the night of March 27, Patron broke into the Legion Hall and his image was allegedly captured on a security camera.
The next day, March 28, police were called.
“Travis Patron was arrested on March 28 for a break and enter to the Redvers Legion which occurred on March 27,” said Sgt. Geoff Stringfellow of the Carlyle RCMP.
“He appeared for court on March 29 and was remanded in custody for a show cause hearing on April 1.
“For this incident Patron was charged with break and enter and two counts of failing to comply with conditions of an undertaking.”
The show-cause hearing April 1 in Estevan was to determine if Patron would be released.
Because he has been charged with an indictable offence while on release for another indictable offence, at the show-cause hearing the onus was on him to prove that he would not be a danger if released, as opposed to the Crown having to prove he would be a danger.
Judge Michelle Brass decided he should remain in custody.
The latest charges come on top of a string of other charges Patron is facing. He now faces charges of break and enter, mischief, willful incitement of hatred toward an identifiable group, aggravated assault, and assault causing bodily harm, along with several charges of breach of court-ordered conditions.
Patron is the leader of the far-right Canadian Nationalist Party, which is a registered political party in Canada. He ran for Parliament in Souris-Moose Mountain in the 2019 election, finishing last.
According to Carlyle RCMP, the mischief charge was laid after Patron was reported on the Legion Hall property in Redvers claiming he has ownership of the building.
“Our members had responded to a complaint about Mr. Patron being unwanted at the legion building in Redvers. He was claiming he had lawful authority to be there but it was determined he did not,” said Stringfellow.
“His refusal to leave led to him being arrested for mischief. He has been charged with mischief for obstructing the lawful enjoyment of the premises as well as breaching a previous court order, so an undertaking from a previous charge,” Stringfellow explained.
Patron had previously sent a letter to the Town of Redvers saying he believes he has the right to claim the legion building as his own.
“On behalf of our federally-sanctioned political constituency, I am hereby serving notice of name regarding the property located at 40 Railway Ave, Redvers, Saskatchewan, S0C 2H0 (Parcel Number: 112534994). The property located at this address is henceforth known as the ‘Ministry Of National Faithism’ and shall conduct itself under this name accordingly,” Patron wrote to the town.
“In acting as defender of the faith, and with a rightful claim to the property, we will henceforth refer to the aforementioned property as the ‘Ministry Of National Faithism’ and respectfully ask others to do likewise.”
The email from Patron to the town indicated Patron intends to remove signage from the building.
“We have no intention of violating the trademark or naming rights of any other organization in using this property. Therefore, we will remove any previous name related to the property if no objection to this notice from Her Majesty The Queen is brought to our attention within a 14-day grace period,” Patron wrote.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Redvers town council has been meeting at the Legion Hall.
Following Patron’s actions and letters, members of Redvers Town Council expressed concern and discussed potentially requesting police protection at future council meetings.
Stringfellow told the World-Spectator that, if requested, the Carlyle RCMP would ensure a police presence for those that may feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
“Any time there is a concern for public safety we will respond. I’ve spoken with the mayor in regards to a meeting coming up and yes there will be a police presence available. Public safety is our number one priority,” Stringfellow said.
“Any time we have a request, especially from a council or a community group, we’ll do our best to ensure we have somebody there.”
Patron will appear in provincial court in Carlyle on April 28 on the mischief charge.
Patron had previously been charged with assault causing bodily harm and aggravated assault for an incident in Regina in late 2019.
He has been committed to stand trial in Regina Court of Queen’s Bench for the assault causing bodily harm and aggravated assault. There will be a pre-trial conference in Regina on April 23.
The alleged assault took place on Nov. 2, 2019.
In February, Patron was charged with willful promotion of hatred toward an identifiable group.
Patron will appear in provincial court in Carlyle on April 14.
