City staff said changes to the bylaw are primarily based off what they heard from the approximately 6,000 Edmontonians surveyed

Edmonton city council is sending a proposed public spaces bylaw back to city administration after a lengthy debate and public hearing Wednesday.

In a 9-0 vote, council decided to send the bylaw back for amendments including further data and analysis on anti-racism, criminalization of poverty and rationale for any changes to fines. City administration has been asked to have the amendments ready by the third quarter of 2024, between July and September.

“One of the things that I found was really missing is clarity around the rationale for a number of the proposed changes, just not really seeing where some of them are coming from,” said Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador.

City staff said changes to the bylaw are primarily based off what they heard from the approximately 6,000 Edmontonians surveyed.