Vancouver eases Olympic protest restrictions

The city of Vancouver is bowing to public pressure and will reconsider parts of its controversial 2010 Olympics bylaw, which critics have charged would infringe on free expression.

Critics said the bylaw's definition of an illegal sign was too vague and made it possible for police or bylaw enforcement officers to enter private homes to remove offending signs and slap owners with hefty fines.

City officials said Thursday they will clarify the bylaw's language.

Inspectors would only target illegal commercial signage that featured non-Olympic sponsors without permits, trying to capitalize on media coverage of the Games, they said.

'The city was never intending, under any scenario, to kick down doors and take fridge magnets or tear off their T-shirts.' — Geoff Meggs, Vancouver councillor

As well, anti-Olympic messages would not be removed and homes would not be entered without consent or a court order.

Coun. Geoff Meggs said the goal was never to attack political speech but to stop businesses from breaking the law during the Games.

"I never underestimate the importance of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but I have thought some of the scenarios people painted were extraordinary," Meggs told reporters.

"The city was never intending under any scenario to kick down doors and take fridge magnets or tear off their T-shirts — and I've heard all of these scenarios proposed."

The revised bylaw changes will be presented to city council next week.

Legal challenge continues

One critic said the bylaw alterations were a good start.

"We are pleased that the city has moved to address some of the concerns we have been raising since July," said David Eby, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

Olympics critic Chris Shaw, one of the people behind a lawsuit to contest the bylaw, said the court challenge would continue.

"It seems that they're still distinguishing between two kinds of free expression — one is to celebrate and one is to dissent," Shaw said in an interview.

The RCMP-led Olympic security unit and local police have insisted protests and other regular activities will be able to go ahead, and Vancouver's police chief has said his officers won't become "sign police."