The bylaw, which came into effect June 1, extends well beyond catcalling and sexual harassment to include any form of bigotry, such as racism, xenophobia or harassment for someone’s sexuality or gender.Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Pleckaitis has been delivering presentations at local high schools about the bylaw and why it’s an important issue. He said the city budget passed last week includes funding for two community relations officers, and their role will include education as well. “I’m just really happy to see that the city has taken clear action on this issue and they’ve listened to the community,” she said. “And, hopefully, in the long term it will have more of that deterring effect.”
She agrees with Pleckaitis that education is going to be more important than enforcement in addressing the problem.