Even in a developed nation like Canada, which rightfully boasts about enlightened social commitments, universal health care, and progressive immigration policies, there are pockets of local politicians who sometimes lose sight of what is really important; taking care of each other at a human level.

In 2022, the City of Oshawa amended existing by-laws to redefine 'vending' to include giving away one or more items on public property (including sidewalks, parks, buildings, and roadways) without a permit.

In essence, if you were to hand a bottle of water to a thirsty person on the sidewalk, or give a nourishing meal to a person who is hungry on public land, you risk fines and harassment from local enforcement.

This added level of red tape has, in some cases, resulted in fines being issued to 'rogue' Good Samaritans handing out meals to the food insecure and, in others, led to cessation of volunteer donors handing out tens of thousands of meals to those in need; all at no cost to the City of Oshawa.

It's Just Food!

This petition is to ask the Oshawa City Councillors and Mayor Dan Carter to rescind the Amendment to By-law CS-21-27 and to ensure that permits are not required to help the food insecure; countering the negative community impact of the by-law and restoring a caring community's Right to Share.

(Please note: you do not need to be a resident of Oshawa to sign this Petition. Also, there is no need to leave a donation on this site but please feel free to share this petition with your network)