I respectfully oppose Bill B-46 as currently written. While I support to keep our public spaces safe and accessible, this bill’s expanded citation structure goes far beyond that purpose. Instead of building pathways for economic opportunity, it risks falsely criminalizing individuals who are simply trying to make an honest living through sidewalk vending.
Sidewalk vendors are overwhelmingly people of color, immigrants, and low-income entrepreneurs who rely on this work to support their families. By increasing penalties and creating more opportunities for punitive enforcement, Bill B-46 effectively places a heavier burden on communities already facing systemic barriers. This is not just a policy issue, it is an equity issue. Any ordinance that disproportionately impacts specific racial or economic groups, even unintentionally, must be reconsidered.
Rather than discouraging entrepreneurship and widening inequities, our city should be working collaboratively with vendors to ensure safe, compliant, and accessible vending practices. That means education over punishment, support over surveillance, and fairness over exclusion.
I strongly urge the Council to reject Bill B-46 in its current form and pursue amendments that uplift, rather than penalize, the hardworking individuals who bring culture, diversity, and economic vibrancy to our streets.
I respectfully oppose Bill B-46 as currently written. While I support to keep our public spaces safe and accessible, this bill’s expanded citation structure goes far beyond that purpose. Instead of building pathways for economic opportunity, it risks falsely criminalizing individuals who are simply trying to make an honest living through sidewalk vending.
Sidewalk vendors are overwhelmingly people of color, immigrants, and low-income entrepreneurs who rely on this work to support their families. By increasing penalties and creating more opportunities for punitive enforcement, Bill B-46 effectively places a heavier burden on communities already facing systemic barriers. This is not just a policy issue, it is an equity issue. Any ordinance that disproportionately impacts specific racial or economic groups, even unintentionally, must be reconsidered.
Rather than discouraging entrepreneurship and widening inequities, our city should be working collaboratively with vendors to ensure safe, compliant, and accessible vending practices. That means education over punishment, support over surveillance, and fairness over exclusion.
I strongly urge the Council to reject Bill B-46 in its current form and pursue amendments that uplift, rather than penalize, the hardworking individuals who bring culture, diversity, and economic vibrancy to our streets.