The municipality is moving to tighten up the rules and regulations governing a busking pilot project this summer in order to have more control over who gets to play.
The new rules follow controversy last summer after Habitat for the Arts denied Monika Schaefer a permit because of her controversial comments about the Holocaust.
If approved by council, the new rules will require聽 buskers to perform one song that will be recorded and sent to a panel of five judges from Parks Canada, Habitat for the Arts, and the wider community. The recording will be evaluated using a 15-point system. Judges will have 24 hours to evaluate the performance.
According to the selection committee guidelines, buskers will be evaluated on three categories, including skill and proficiency, audience enjoyment and stage presence. Those with an average score of 11 will pass the audition and receive a busking permit.
The final details of the policy have not yet been approved and are likely to be tweaked over the coming weeks.
In addition to being judged, buskers will also have to sign a permit, which sets out 19 conditions they have to adhere to.
For example, buskers will only be allowed to perform between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. in a period that is assigned by Habitat for the Arts. Buskers will also have to display an identification badge issued to them.
Buskers also run the risk of having their permit terminated if their performance doesn鈥檛 match their application.
Coun. Gilbert Wall said he was concerned the new rules don鈥檛 go far enough to exclude certain people from performing, regardless of their musical ability.
鈥淚 still have a great deal of trepidation giving certain people the stage in our community knowing what we know,鈥� said Wall.
鈥淭here has to be room in this guideline to deny a busking permit if we choose. It can鈥檛 be just on musical ability.鈥�
CAO Mark Fercho reiterated that the permit can be terminated if the busker鈥檚 performance doesn鈥檛 match the original application and pointed to another clause in the permit that states the municipality has a right to suspend a busking permit if a busker is receiving complaints or is unable to maintain a satisfactory standard.
Wall said he has no issue with the actual performance.聽 His primary concern was about the performer.
鈥淲hat I鈥檓 looking for in there in blunt terms is an out,鈥� said Wall. 鈥淎n out that allows Habitat or the community to not grant a license. Period. That is independent of whether someone can do the jig or spin a plate.鈥�
To appease Wall鈥檚 concern, Fercho suggested adding language to the committee鈥檚 guidelines that would require buskers to read Habitat鈥檚 value statement and speak to how they align with those values. Judges would also be accountable for who they permit to play on the street.
To see the draft version of the new rules visit the municipality鈥檚 website.
Council will make a final decision on May 2.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
