People acting inappropriately in public spaces within the Cowichan Valley Regional District could soon face fines and/or suspensions.
Staff were instructed to move forward in establishing a respectful-places bylaw at the CVRD’s committee of the whole meeting on April 24.
A report from Rob Williams, manager of the Cowichan Community Centre, said that, due to increasing public safety concerns, staff have recognized a need to establish a bylaw to regulate the behaviour and actions of individuals present at all CVRD public spaces.
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He said that having such a bylaw will help ensure staff have a necessary tool to promote respectful behaviour from people while visiting CVRD public spaces and regulating inappropriate and/or nuisance behaviours.
“Staff are seeking approval to move ahead with the establishment of a respectful-spaces bylaw that will seek to provide public spaces that are free of harassment, bullying, intimidation, violence, discrimination and where all patrons of CVRD services will be treated with mutual respect and dignity,” Williams said.
“Further, this bylaw will also look to regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to inappropriate behaviours and bylaw compliance. This is timely considering recent challenges experienced across the organization at various CVRD service locations, such as recreation facilities, Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex, and the Ingram Street head office.”
Williams pointed out that the bylaw is still in the process of being developed, but it’s intended that it outline the duty of individuals using CVRD public spaces to be respectful of others and the requirement to comply with all legislation, laws and posted codes of conduct, including compliance with the Human Rights Code and Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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He said that staff also feel it’s important that penalties, like suspensions and/or fines, be imposed on those who don’t comply with the bylaw, but the nature and extent of the penalties have yet to be determined.
“Many communities across the country are dealing with similar social issues in public spaces and, as such, there are many examples to draw from with respect to existing bylaws or policies around creating respectful public spaces and regulating nuisance behaviours,” Williams said.
“The Municipality of North Cowichan and the Town of Ladysmith are two jurisdictions within the CVRD that currently have similar policies or bylaws that will help in the development of a CVRD bylaw.”
Staff are expected to bring the final bylaw to the board for approval by this fall.