The deputy mayor of a northern New Brunswick city says changes to a Halloween bylaw that banned trick-or-treating for teens over the age of 14 and set a 7 p.m. curfew for anyone in costume don't go far enough.
Kim Chamberlain says she wanted Bathurst city council to "demolish" the controversial bylaw altogether.
Instead, the new rules -- expected to pass third reading in early October -- make trick-or-treating illegal for anyone older than 16 with a curfew for all set at 8 p.m.
The updated rules say those caught with a facial disguise in public after curfew, or anyone over 16 found trick-or-treating can be fined up to $200.
Chamberlain says its an overreach for city council to impose Halloween rules, noting that homeowners can turn out their porch lights if they don't want trick-or-treaters past a certain hour.
She says some parents of young children work until 6 p.m. or later, and she says they need time to make supper and get kids dressed up, while some teens are tall and shouldn't be questioned for wearing a costume or trick-or-treating.
