Richmond News June 14 2017

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017 n Quilchena elementary students hosted their own Young Citizens Farmers’ and Artisans Markets, featuring produce they grew in the school’s community garden and their own hand-made art projects. All proceeds from the market will go to various, local charity groups. Photo by Philip Raphael/Richmond News

What’s inside:

NEWS: Less fairytale filming expected in Steveston this season 3

Council flips on sign bylaw

Couns. McNulty and Johnston vote to axe language requirement ALANCAMPBELL Staff Reporter

ACAMPBELL@RICHMOND-NEWS.COM

W

hen is a bylaw not a bylaw? Maybe when it’s a policy? If you’re confused, then you’re in good company, along with a few members of city council late on Monday night. After three hours of bafflement and bemusement at city council chambers, what was left standing was a proposed, new sign bylaw that will no longer demand 50 per cent of one of Canada’s official languages on future business signs that require a permit. Last week, Coun. Bill McNulty successfully inserted the requirement for English or French into the proposed bylaw. However, this week, he and Coun. Ken Johnston voted to have the language requirement removed. As a result, last week’s 5-4 decision in favour of mandating English/French on new

signs flipped to a 6-3 decision to pass a bylaw proposal without language requirements. Asked by the Richmond News on Tuesday morning to explain the change of heart, McNulty claimed he wasn’t previously aware the city had a policy which educated business owners about having English on their signs, with the hope of them voluntarily using 50 per cent of the language. “I was able to establish with staff (on Monday night) that we already have a policy,” said McNulty. “(A language bylaw) would have been redundant; we already have the policy, I just wasn’t aware of it.” Included in last week’s staff report, however, was specific reference to city staff successfully encouraging, since 2015, around 900 business owners to have a minimum of 50 per cent English on their new signs. And McNulty, at last week’s meeting, acknowledged the so-called “co-operation” between city staff and business owners, but

insisted that the language requirement be inserted into the new sign bylaw anyway. “To me, (the policy) satisfies both sides,” he added. “Now that it’s going to be made a policy, that will make a difference.” The latest move by McNulty was preceded Monday evening by Johnston pulling his previous support for a bylaw mandating half English or French on the signs. Johnston’s flip-flop was enough to steer the controversial bylaw — which city staff and lawyers had warned might contravene the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms — away from language. “The last week or so is one of the hardest I’ve had (on council) and I’m sensitive to both points of view,” said Johnston. “…regulation is going to stir up a hornet’s nest…I believe outreach is the most constructive path. After serious reflection, I’m changing my mind.” See Staff page 3

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COMMUNITY: Response to crime creates friendly neighbourhood 5

SPORTS: Girls lacrosse is on the rise in Richmond 15 BELLY DANCING June 17th & July 8th

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Richmond News June 14 2017 by Richmond News - Issuu