Nelson city council is poised to pass their panhandling bylaw Monday night.
The city wants to introduce measures that are in addition to BC’s Safe Streets Act. Obstructing or touching pedestrians is already illegal but Nelson is seeking bans on panhandlers within 5-metres of a bank, bus stop,liquor store, movie theatre, sidewalk cafe and place of worship entrance.
Panhandling after sunset would also be prohibited.
The city stresses it does not have the power to “criminalize” panhandling but can create local laws on how public spaces can be used.