The city of Barrie, Ont., has backed away from proposed bylaws that would have made it illegal to distribute food, literature, clothes, tents and tarps to unhoused people on public property.

At a meeting on Wednesday night, council decided unanimously to refer bylaws 67 and 68 back to staff. The matter is expected to return to a general committee meeting later this year.

“There should be zero fear out there that a bylaw officer or a peace officer is going to come and ask you not to give water to someone who needs it,” Mayor Alex Nuttall told council chambers.

Coun. Jim Harris, who represents Ward 8, said the intent of the bylaws was not to prevent people from helping unhoused people.

“Charitable acts of kindness, giving, are central to our community and we do not want to punish that. That’s not the intent,” Harris said.

Read more here:

CBC News
June 21, 2023