Edmonton city council sends public spaces bylaw back to city staff for revisions after lengthy debate
CBC
A proposed public spaces bylaw for Edmonton will go back to city staff for revisions and research after hours of debate during a city council meeting Wednesday.
Council voted 9-0 to send the bylaw back to administration, with provisions to complete data analysis and research on issues like anti-racism and criminalization of poverty.
The motion also asked for a climate review to be done, as well as "comprehensive rationale for any fine changes in the proposed bylaw." The motion also specifically asks for the 50-person gathering limit in the proposed bylaw to be reviewed.
"This motion doesn't blow-up the bylaw," Coun. Andrew Knack said at the meeting, adding the motion allows for more time to refine the bylaw.
"It's just a first draft. We're doing more work; let's keep doing work together."
Coun. Ashley Salvador said council hadn't seen the proposed bylaw previously, and that it's prudent to make sure the rules were refined.
The motion featured several other amendments that administration needs to prepare for a future committee meeting, including refining the definition of "temporary shelter" and removing an exception for feeding feral cats and birds in public spaces.
Erin Rutherford, councillor for Ward Anirniq, suggested sending the bylaw back to administration to analyze and refine.
"I don't think we've hit the mark, but I think we need to have those rules," Rutherford said in an interview earlier Wednesday.
The bylaw should cover open drug use, she said, similar to the rule banning alcohol consumption in public.
But then the city needs to decide how to enforce the rules.
For example, she said the bylaw could give discretion to bylaw officers and judges to reduce fine amounts — currently proposed at $250 — or use other methods to educate people.
The proposed bylaw retains and enhances rules that currently exist for areas such as panhandling, harassment, and setting up temporary shelters in public places.
Council also unanimously passed a motion for a report to look at alternatives to ticketing for offences that could disproportionately affect unhoused Edmontonians.
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