Council examining curfew feasibility

The feasibility of implementing a curfew in Thunder Bay will be up for debate at City Hall Monday night. 

One of the first acts of the new council was a call for a report on the usefulness and implications of introducing a youth curfew in the city. A report prepared by crime prevention co-ordinator, Amy Siciliano, concludes there is no reliable evidence that curfews prevent youth crime and vicitimization. 

The report also concludes that a curfew may have unintended negative consequences including a mistrust between youth and adults.

Council will also receive a report on the best ways to fill vacancies on Council. 

With a federal election underway and the potential for at-large councillor Ken Boshcoff to be elected to Parliament, city clerk John Hannam is making several recommendations on what to do if a council position becomes vacant. 

He says vacancies in the early stages of a term of council should be filled through a by-election, and by appointment in the latter stages. 

A byelection to fill a councillor-at-large seat would cost about $35,000. 

Also on the agenda for Monday night, Coun. Larry Hebert will call for a committee to be struck to look at whether members of council should be elected at-large rather than the current system of five at-large and seven ward councillors.