On Dec. 10, Port Coquitlam city council will consider a bylaw that would make it illegal for people in a public place or online to make objectionable, intimidating or humiliating comments causing physical or emotional distress.
If approved, the bylaw would give RCMP Youth Liaison officers the power to levy fines against individuals, mostly youth, unless they take an approved anti-bullying course.
At first glance, it appears this bylaw would give police much discretion and could be considered an unreasonable expansion of power except that both the level of proof required and the correction are much less than that of a criminal code violation.
According to Mayor Greg Moore, the goal is to discourage bullying and educate people about its effects rather than fining people.
It's early days yet as to whether the bylaw will accomplish the intended goals, that of reducing bullying, but at the very least it shows that the city where Amanda Todd grew up is taking bullying very seriously.
Do you think the city of Port Coquitlam's anti-bullying bylaw will help stop bullying? Vote in our online poll.
