Orillia city council has voted 8-1 to pass a bylaw to ban smoking on city property, with some exemptions.
The ban prohibits smoking of tobacco and marijuana, as well as vaping.
However, an exemption was provided to Nordia, a call centre which leases property from the city at 100 Hunter Valley Road.
Tobacco and vaping would be allowed for special events at the Stephen Leacock Museum but the organizer would need a permit from the city.
The mayor and several councillors were not happy that a request from the Chamber of Commerce to have some of its special events exempt from the bylaw for 2019 at Couchiching Beach Park and Centennial Park was denied, such as the Orillia Waterfront Festival, the Spring Boat, Cottage and Outdoor Show, as well as Christmas in June and the Port of Orillia Pirate Party.
The bylaw includes all city parks and trails, the Metro Plaza property, municipal parking lots, the City Centre and other municipal buildings.
The bylaw will be presented to council for approval on April 1.
It would come into effect May 15, if passed.
