One more vote is required before a Respectful Spaces Bylaw comes into effect, which aims to better protect City employees and Council. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

addressing behaviour

Respectful Spaces Bylaw to be implemented by Nanaimo City Council

Jun 19, 2024 | 6:00 AM

NANAIMO — A formal process of dealing with inappropriate behaviour in City facilities and its staffed public outdoor spaces is about to come into effect.

City councillors unanimously passed three readings of the Respectful Spaces Bylaw on Monday, June 17, which aims to promote safe environments for City employees, councillors, volunteers and the public.

David LaBerge, the City’s director of public safety, said the bylaw was crafted since a clear policy does not exist for staff to address incidents like verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, or discrimination.

“It ensures that persons will only be deprived of access to public facilities as a result of serious or re-occurring behaviours,” LaBerge said.

The bylaw comes after several reported incidents of verbal abuse being directed toward City staff during recent Alternative Approval Processes for the Nanaimo Operations Centre.

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Two people were also arrested during a May 27 City Council meeting after refusing to adhere to Council rules around appearing as a delegation.

The bylaw includes fines of $250, while a $500 fine could apply in cases where access to a municipal facility is made by a person who’s been suspended from doing so.

After a suspension period expires a six-month probationary period applies.

“And during that period if there’s another incident that occurs a subsequent suspension may be considered of equal or greater duration and the subsequent suspensions are not entitled to an appeal process.”

An appeal process is included for the initial suspension, which LaBerge said aligns with procedural fairness in which a person under suspension can request a review of the decision from the City’s Chief Administrative Officer.

As for how the bylaw would impact council and committee meetings, LaBerge said banning members of the public for repeated disruptive incidents would likely be dealt with through a court injunction process.

He noted the courts have a “high threshold” on banning people from future council meetings.

Coun. Ian Thorpe said it appears the bylaw is well thought out, comprehensive and fair.

“I think it’s very unfortunate that we need to have this type of bylaw on our books, but we do that’s the reality and we seem to see that more and more these days,” Thorpe said, who added the City Council has a duty to protect staff from inappropriate and abusive behaviour.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes