Guelph council passes amendment banning encampments in certain parks, public spaces
Posted Mar 26, 2025 04:44:05 PM.
Last Updated Mar 27, 2025 11:17:55 AM.
A bylaw banning encampments in Guelph has now been amended to include certain public spaces and parks near schools.
The amendment, motioned by Mayor Cam Guthrie, asked to change the language of “Sensitive Public Space” in By-law (2024)-20990 to add the line “any Public Space that shares a property line with a school or childcare centre.” The original bylaw was passed by council last year and banned encampments in areas such as St. George’s Square and Market Square.
Guthie, during Tuesday’s council meeting, said he has received concerns from parents and educators.
“I think that by adding this definition and this example into the definition of the bylaw, that it does provide clarity around what council would feel,” said Guthie. “These are sensitive areas that….are also used quite often.
Guthie added that he reached out to all the school boards in the area to let them know about the motion. He said the Catholic Board was in favour of it before the meeting began.
Council would ultimately pass the new motion by a vote of 6-5.
Councillor Erin Caton put forward a motion before the vote for the requested change to be put forward to the Accessibility Advisory Committee, citing concerns about public engagement and accessibility.
“The unhoused population has a very large disability community contained within,” said Caton. “I believe there may be unintended consequences to the disability community that I would like to know about before making a decision on this.”
Guthrie responded by saying he thought the motion to refer was done at the last minute and that other members of council were told but not him, calling it a “gotcha moment.”
“I feel like this is coming out of the blue and the opportunity may have been presented to inform all of council, including myself as the mover, and I have every right to be frustrated,” said Guthrie. “We are elected officials that are here to make decisions, and I believe this is a time to make a decision.”
The motion to refer was ultimately defeated by a vote of 6-5.
