Public hearing on public spaces bylaw

As city council hears from the public on a bylaw that would govern public spaces like Churchill Square, business leaders say the bylaw is needed to bring people back to downtown.

“We’re not going to tolerate open-air drug use,” said Alexandra Hryciw, Chair of the Downtown Recovery Coalition.

Hryciw advocates for downtown revitalization. Speaking in favour of a proposed bylaw that would consolidate rules and heavy fines for things like open-air drug use, panhandling on roads and medians, as well as loitering at transit stations and harassment in public.

Council also heard from advocates for Edmonton’s vulnerable on Wednesday. Many who say these rules will target Edmonton’s low-income and houseless communities who frequently use the city’s public spaces.

Hryciw called out those activists in council Wednesday, saying while there has been slow movement on shelter beds and harm reduction, the bylaw is meant for everyone in the city.

“At the same time, we need to delicately address the issues we’re facing in terms of building a city for a million people. We can’t continue to prioritize the needs of a small group over the needs of an entire city,” said Hryciw.

Councillor for the city’s north-west — Erin Rutherford — told media Wednesday, that while the first draft of the bylaw gets some things right, she’s looking for changes, as the bylaw goes through readings and questions certain aspects like enforcement.

“How are we approaching it? Are we using those three E’s of engage, educate, before enforcement? Or are we going with certain demographics’ right to enforcement? Some of our data shows that is the case,” said Rutherford.