Hamilton council votes to restart ban on tents in parks starting in March

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Hamilton councillors and the mayor have voted overwhelmingly to end the city's encampment protocol, rules that have allowed some people living in tents to stay and not be forced to move.

The 13-2 vote at council's general issues committee meeting will see the former parks bylaw, which forbids overnight camping, enforced again starting March 6.

It will now go to council for a final vote, which is needed to pass formally.

Wednesday's vote was on a motion by Ward 14 Coun. Mike Spadafora. The motion noted a recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice finding that clearing encampments from parks doesn't violate Charter freedoms.