SASKATOON – The issue of aggressive panhandlers in Saskatoon was a topic of discussion for city councillors at a planning committee meeting Monday. The downtown business improvement district’s executive director, Brett Penner, wants clarity and enforcement of the panhandling bylaw.
Penner wants panhandlers in one place and restricted to a clear distance from theatres, parking stations and bars.
“If someone’s on the street panhandling, I don’t think anyone has an issue with that and we don’t hear from businesses or people concerned with that,” said Penner. “You walk by, you make the decision if you want to give money to that person or not.”
Penner said he doesn’t want the bylaw, which dates back to the 1940s scrapped, just updated.
“I think what we’re really trying to deal with is having people approach you in your own space when you might not be prepared for someone to approach you.”
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The panhandling bylaw review was referred back to administration.
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