With Bill 6 passing last Wednesday, June 4, 2025 people in Cobourg are awaiting the response by local police service.
Among other things, the Act prohibits the consumption of an illegal substance in a public place.
The Safer Communities Act provides that a “public place” is a place to which the general public is invited or permitted. It includes any structure, such as a tent, used as a dwelling in a public place, if its use as a dwelling in the public place is not permitted by law.
But the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act maybe only one tool available to local enforcement officers.
Long before the Safer Communities Act, the Town of Cobourg, through an update to the Nuisance By-law, put enforcement measures in place to prohibit the consumption of illegal substances in public places and no-smoking in parks.
During the last month, from May 10 – June 10th, Municipal By-law officers with the Town of Cobourg issued 10 verbal orders and trespass notices pursuant to the nuisance By-law. In accordance with our By-law, a nuisance includes “the unlawful use, sale, furnishing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or controlled or illegal substances.
The town stated that none of the orders issued in the last 30 days were for illegal substance use.
As defined under the Act, municipal by-law officers can also issue offences under the Safer Communities Act.
“Therefore, in addition to the provisions of the Town of Cobourg’s Nuisance By-law and Regulation of Facilities and Parks By-law, Municipal Law Enforcement Officers may enforce the provisions of the Safer Municipalities Act.”
As of Tuesday, June 10, 2025, no tickets/charges have been issued by municipal by-law officers, specifically regarding Bill 6 since its passing last week.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
