Yellowknife (Mar 17/04) - A small but vocal group of street vendors appeared at City Hall, Monday, to voice their approval of a proposed bylaw to allow them back in the downtown core.

Street vendor Gulen Gelale voices his opinion to city council over a proposed bylaw to allow them back into the downtown core. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

The city barred mobile canteens from the downtown core in theory, but not in practice, in 1990. The ban wasn't effectively enforced until hot dog vendor Pat Papineau tried to obtain a permit last year, but was told he wasn't allowed to operate downtown, generating a fair deal of public outcry.

City council is now considering whether to bring them back or not.

"I'm very much in favour of this," said Councillor David McCann.

"It adds so much more street life."

Some councillors, however, expressed concerns about how the vending bylaw would be applied.

Questions over parking spots for canteens, the price of permits and the city's ability to regulate them dominated the noon-hour meeting.

"Has City Hall looked at setting a maximum limit?" asked Coun. Mark Heyck, to which city administrator Max Hall replied that the city intends to "let the market decide."

Coun. Doug Witty expressed disapproval with the way the proposed bylaw was being handled. He wanted to know why only a bylaw and not a city policy was drafted for council's perusal.

"I'd like to see the policy before we pass this bylaw," said Witty.

Hall said he would have something for councillors to look over before they take it to a vote at next Monday's regular meeting.

Some vendors in attendance said they don't know why mobile canteens downtown are even an issue.

Gulen Gelale said he began operating a food cart downtown in 1995 with no complaints. He said he was forced off the streets last year.

"There are 20,000 people in this city," said Gelale. "Nobody has ever complained."