Thompson lawmakers forbid spitting, drinking, snowballs: Knowledge Driven Revolution

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The City of Thompson has introduced a new bylaw prohibiting a variety of "unacceptable" behaviours, including public drunkenness, fighting — and throwing snowballs.

The new "behavioural bylaw," designed to keep public order and protect the "safety, health, protection and well-being" of Thompson residents, forbids drinking, urinating and spitting in public places.

Graffiti and loitering are also targeted, as are a few actions that might be considered more juvenile than dangerous, such as climbing publicly owned trees and throwing "balls of snow."

Anyone caught contravening the bylaw would face an initial fine of $50. The maximum fine is $1,000 or 90 days in jail.

"The fine is hopefully the last option," Mayor Tim Johnston told CBC.

"What we really want to convey in the City of Thompson is what are acceptable and unacceptable behaviours, and we hope that as a municipality, there's a mutual respect for our residents, for our visitors and for anyone coming into our community."

Councillors in the city of 13,000 have yet to approve the new bylaw; that's expected to happen within the next few months.

Provincial statutes already outlaw public drunkenness and drinking in public places.

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