Cathy Dobson
A city councillor says his unsuccessful attempt to have two well-known street preachers banned from a busy intersection for safety reasons was “hijacked.”
Nathan Colquhoun had sought a city staff report on a possible bylaw to “prohibit sound amplification or loud noises” distracting to drivers.
“I think people’s minds were made up before it ever got to council,” he said.
Colquhoun openly admits he was attempting to restrict two men who frequently stand at the corner of Murphy and London roads and use amplified speakers to loudly share their religious convictions.
Their shouting is a safety hazard for vehicles and pedestrians trying to cross the intersection, said Colquhoun, who added he personally knows of two collisions.
“It’s ridiculous. Why can’t (these men) say whatever it is they want to say in a park, or anywhere there’s less traffic?”
He insists his notice of motion wasn’t an attempt to prevent the men from espousing their religious beliefs.
“It wasn’t about freedom of speech,” he said. “I just wanted staff to look into a bylaw so not everyone can go out on the street and begin yelling at cars.”
Colquhoun shared the idea on Facebook months ago and drew hundreds of responses.
“Lots of people said a bylaw would be good, but then I saw how it was turned into this thing about freedom of speech. That was not my intent,” he said.
Council discussed the idea and dismissed it in a 7-2 vote on Sept. 9. Only Colquhoun and Coun. Brian White were in favour.
Coun. Bill Dennis said the issue was more about freedom of speech and religion than road safety.
“Even if you don’t agree with what is said, I believe we need to defend someone’s right to say it,” he said.
Dennis said he agreed with Sarnia Police Chief Norm Hansen that the onus is on drivers to stay focused.
“We can’t make distractions illegal and we can’t take away basic freedoms,” he said.
Coun. Terry Burrell said enforcement would be a challenge. All loud street noises, including horns and the emergency sirens tested Mondays at 12:30 p.m. could be considered distracting, he said.
Mayor Mike Bradley said he didn’t want to “waste time and energy” on an unenforceable bylaw.
Council’s decision came after hearing from Georges Guerette, the more regular of the two street sermonizers.
“Every day our rights are being taken away,” he said. “Eventually, they’re going to take us away in buses…”
Guerette said he isn’t a preacher; he’s a protestor.
“I protest against wickedness. This is happening in Sarnia right now. We are losing our rights daily.”
Colquhoun said later he didn’t try to defend his proposal because he saw “where it was going.”
“I encourage people to be careful and not to be distracted at that corner,” he said. “Ignore the noise and carry on.”
A few days later, Guerette was back on the corner, citing passages from the Bible. He said he’s pleased with the decision.
“What council has done here in Sarnia is taken a stand and said, ‘Righteousness is righteousness.’”