City addresses updates to Bill 110, emphasizing intent on safety for residents

Dyment's Creek encampment near Anne, Victoria and John streets in Barrie, Ont.

The City of Barrie is clarifying recent updates to its Use of City Property Bylaw, known as Bill 110, after confusion arose about what the changes mean for residents and community groups.

City council approved the updates through a Direct Motion on Oct. 1, focusing mainly on clarifying rules around tents, structures, and the definition of City property. The City says the amendment expands that definition to include boulevards.

“This was brought forward to ensure the safety of all residents,” the City said in a statement. “This bylaw applies city-wide and addresses multiple offences not just related to those individuals who are unhoused.”

The bylaw gives the city’s officers broad power to target behaviours associated with homelessness, including erecting tents, blocking sidewalks, and defecating on city property.

Officials emphasized enforcement practices have not changed. According to the City, individuals or organizations found in violation are given opportunities to comply with notices before any fines are issued.

During the Oct. 1 council meeting, Mayor Alex Nuttall stated, “I just want to be really clear this isn’t a wintertime move, this is a permanent move. Encampments are no longer welcome. They were never safe, and to accept otherwise would not be taking the facts into consideration.”

The City has also addressed confusion surrounding sections 7.0.0.0 and 8.0.0.0 of the bylaw, which deal with selling or giving away goods on City property. These sections, which have been in place since 2004, prohibit people from selling or distributing items without City authorization. However, they make exceptions for registered charities, or federally, provincially or municipally funded organizations providing food, water, clothing, or medical attention free of charge to the public.

The City stressed these sections were not part of the recent updates and remain unchanged.

“They do not prevent individuals from sharing food or drinks with family and friends or providing necessities to those in need,” the City clarified.

Barrie staff said the intent behind the motion was simply to update language in the by-law for better understanding and enforcement consistency across the city, not to introduce new restrictions.

Related

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