Proposed changes to panhandling bylaw squashed
After much debate, the majority of North Battleford council defeated a proposed amendment to the city’s panhandling bylaw at its meeting Tuesday.
Council voted 5-2 against changing the existing bylaw, with only Mayor Ryan Bater and Coun. Greg Lightfoot favouring the amendment.
The amended bylaw to restrict panhandling within 100 metres of such sites as a bank, liquor store, or bus stop, would be a step up from the existing bylaw which restricts panhandling within 10 metres of these sites.
“All of council put a lot of thought into their decision and their comments,” Bater said. “This is the beginning of a conversation. I think that the spirit of the discussion was one of wanting to address the challenges that we have with the discomfort that visitors and residents feel downtown. [Council] just didn’t feel the tool was adequate or appropriate to address that.”