Surrey residents challenging the constitutionality of city bylaw amendments that govern the placement of political signs on private property await a verdict that was reserved after final arguments were heard Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver.

B次元官网网址淚 have no clue when IB次元官网网址檒l get a judgment to you,B次元官网网址� Justice Nigel Kent said after adjourning the case. B次元官网网址淏ut I will in due course, thank you.B次元官网网址�

Lawyer Kevin Smith, representing the plaintiffs, argued that the bylaw as amended on Oct. 18, 2021 presents an unconstitutional infringement on their freedom of expression under CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

B次元官网网址淭his is not just political disagreement,B次元官网网址� Smith told the judge. B次元官网网址淭his isnB次元官网网址檛 a couple of political adversaries going at it in the normal cut-and-thrust.

B次元官网网址淎ll theyB次元官网网址檙e trying to do is make it harder for my clients to participate or to voice their views at all,B次元官网网址� he said of Mayor Doug McCallum and B次元官网网址渉is council supporters.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 nothing normal about that. This suppression of political dissent by the government is exactly what the Charter is supposed to help prevent.B次元官网网址�

The petition was launched by Surrey residents Annie Kaps, Debra (Debi) Johnstone, Colin Pronger, Ivan Scott, Merle Scott and Linda Ypenburg, all members of Keep the RCMP in Surrey. The amended bylaw resulted in them removing related signage from their properties but their petition to the court states they are challenging the amendments to the sign bylaw B次元官网网址渘ot for personal reasons, but in an effort to protect political speech and expression in the City.B次元官网网址�

Smith argued the amendments were B次元官网网址減art of a continuing pattern of behaviour that discloses animus, bias and various steps by the mayor and his supporters to silence the opposition of the petitioners.B次元官网网址�

Matthew Voell, the lawyer representing the City of Surrey, argued the contentious bylaw amendments were driven by city staff recommendations, and B次元官网网址渘ot driven by animus, by council, by the mayor.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭here was no improper purpose there,B次元官网网址� Voell argued. B次元官网网址淭he petition should be dismissed.

B次元官网网址淭he petitioners appear to want change in the city B次元官网网址� they can effect change at the ballot box.B次元官网网址�

Voell told Kent that the constitutional challenge was brought forward for B次元官网网址減olitical purposesB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渢his is a manufactured dispute.B次元官网网址�

Meantime, Smith said itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渃rystal clearB次元官网网址� that no permits B次元官网网址渃an be obtained, I suggest both for the public and the private land signs.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淣o one, not even the councillors, knows what this bylaw says,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淭here is considerable confusion, even within the city.B次元官网网址�

tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
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