A bylaw to restrict panhandling failed to pass city council Monday, even though it was approved six months ago.
In December 2016, councillors voted six to five in favour of the changes, which prohibit panhandling within eight metres of a doorway to a cinema, theatre or performing arts venue and prohibit panhandlers from engaging people who are using parking pay stations or in line to use the stations.
But on Monday, during the vote to approve the final reading of the bylaw, the vote ended in a 5-5 tie. City councillor Troy Davies, who supported the bylaw, was absent from council chambers during the vote.
A tie vote at city council means the bylaw is defeated.
During the debate late last year, Ward 5 councillor Randy Donauer pushed hard for the amendments. He said people and businesses have been asking the city to address panhandling for years.
The city’s street activity steering committee proposed creating a buffer zone prohibiting panhandling around parking pay stations, but councillors voted against the push and instead opted to restrict panhandlers from engaging with users of the pay stations.
Ward 2 councillor Hilary Gough argued during the meeting the changes do nothing to address the root issue of poverty, which leads many people to engage in panhandling. She said she also felt the bylaw was overly restrictive to panhandling.
The existing bylaw prohibits panhandling in any public place in a coercive manner and restricts panhandling from someone in a vehicle or on a city bus. Panhandlers are also prohibited from engaging in the practice while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs.
