The City of Edmonton has drafted a new Public Spaces Bylaw and after more than a year of consultations, a few of the proposed items will be a ban on panhandling as well as loud speakers. The new bylaw will consolidate and replace the current model in place which is the Conduct of Transit Passengers and Public Spaces Bylaw.
The notion is to to make the rules more clear and easier to follow according to City administration.
According to the city, 6,425 people completed an online survey and left feedback on the changes. Interviews were also held with the city including Homeward Trust, Bissel Centre, Alberta Public Interest Research Group (APIIRG), Edmonton 2Spirit Society and the Edmonton Downtown Business Association.
Proposed bylaw 20700 is set to be presented in city council chambers on Feb. 2.
The public will also have their voice heard at the Feb. 2 meeting.
The use of amplification systems, such as mega phones in not currently regulated in public spaces according to the city and the new bylaw would ban amplification systems in all public spaces, with exceptions being made for certain events. The new bylaw would see a $250 fine implemented for breaking the bylaw.
The new panhandling bylaw would ban panhandling in or along roads, medians and boulevards. There is no regulation in place currently for panhandling, should it not be aggressive. This would also result in a $250 fine.
The new bylaw would also include water safety along the North Saskathewan River. It would see that life jackets be mandatorily work in any vessel traveling along the river with the exception of the Edmonton river boat.
Skating would also be prohibited in any areas on the river and result in a $500 fine.
The new bylaw would also change and clarify rules set around transit spaces and ban people from staying in these spaces who aren’t actively using the transit system .
Amendments are also proposed to include the operation of food carts and/or trucks to operate in parks and roads but still be required to carry food health and safety permits.
Drug use would also be prohibited in all public spaces. Previously it was only banned in transit spaces.
Fireworks would also be prohibited entirely without a proper permit.
The list of banned weapons in public spaces would also be modified to include bear spray and similar liquids, brass knuckles and electronic devices such as tasers.
Consuming liquor in public would also result in a $250 fine.
The proposed bylaw is scheduled to be heard in City Council on Feb 2 and the changes could be implemented by as early as May 13th.
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