Citizens concerned about the regulations regarding free play on the streets of Les Cèdres were out in force on June 11, when the municipal council held an information session.

In addition to the elected officials, Officer Stéphane Quintal of the Sûreté du Québec was on hand to clarify a few details about the regulations set out in the Highway Safety Code.

From the start, the Municipality's Director General, Jimmy Poulin, reminded the audience of the by-law's objectives.

"The purpose of the by-law is to allow parents or residents of a neighbourhood to request a zone where the level of safety is increased. With signs and road markings. It's important to understand that the Municipality has no intention of prohibiting little field hockey players, anywhere in the territory, from playing in the street. The goal was never to ban street hockey," he said.

Several citizens took advantage of the opportunity to express their discontent, but above all to voice their questions and hope for answers.

One of the points raised by the citizens was that the objective of the by-law as explained during the meeting and the written wording of the by-law seemed contradictory. The mayor of the municipality of some 7,000 souls, Bernard Daoust, was reassuring, confirming that the council will examine each of the points set out in the by-law in order to make the necessary modifications.

"I'd like to make it clear that there has never been any question of stopping children from playing freely in the municipality. Our objective is clear. If there are people who are interested in having zones in their area, our responsibility is to ensure that that zone is better secured and that everyone can play," added Mr. Daoust.

"What has been identified is that if there are permanent installations made by citizens on the public highway, that's forbidden. It's a pity that people see the coercive aspect in the willingness to set up facilities. Council is open to revising the by-law," added the General Manager.

Occupation of public space prohibited, but tolerated

Invited to speak, Officer Quintal of the Sûreté du Québec's Vaudreuil-Soulanges Ouest station recalled that, under article 500 of the Highway Safety Code, "no person may, without being legally authorized to do so, occupy the roadway, shoulder or other part of the right-of-way or the approaches to a public road or place a vehicle or obstacle there so as to impede vehicular traffic on or access to such a road."

"Article 500.2 changes things. It specifies that a municipality may, by by-law, allow free play on a public road for which it is responsible. But this authorization comes with specific conditions," explains agent Stéphane Quintal.

These conditions include, among others, the determination of zones where free play is permitted.

"Our role is to ensure people's safety. Of course, we have a certain tolerance, because the road is used by everyone. That said, you have to bear in mind that the primary use is for vehicles. The main point to remember is that we want to ensure everyone's safety. If it's a normal, non-abusive use, we don't have to intervene and we won't apply the by-law", added the agent.

Another point raised by citizens was the issuance of statements of offence. Under current regulations, offenders can be fined from $300 to $1,000. However, according to article 500.2 of the Highway Safety Code, the fine issued by the municipality cannot exceed $120.

Asked how many statements of offence had been issued to young people, Stéphane Quintal made a number of points. "There's a distinction to be made in terms of the Highway Safety Code and the issuance of statements of offence to a person under the age of 14, to whom no statement of offence can be issued. It's impossible for a child to receive a statement of offence. It could apply to teenagers or adults who cause a lot of traffic damage. We agree that for children playing field hockey in the street, we won't issue a ticket. We'll warn them to pull over and raise awareness among their parents.

According to a resident and mother of two, the by-law runs counter to the values of freedom and autonomy, values which, according to the mother, should be encouraged in children. According to the mother, the bylaw confines children to a corridor and limits their ability to explore and interact with the environment. "You're hiding behind the Highway Safety Code to justify your decisions," she said.

"We have no intention of hiding behind the Highway Safety Code. It's clear in our by-law that it's not the municipality that will decide to create an open play area. If there's no demand, we won't create one. If people want to have an area and the neighbors agree, our responsibility is to ensure the safety of the children. Safety is a priority for the members of the council," concluded the mayor.

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