A Vancouver city councillor says she’s “gobsmacked” by a decision to refer a motion that would have made it easier to create pedestrian-only zones on Halloween.

Coun. Lucy Maloney says every Oct. 31 marks some of the highest numbers of traffic deaths and injuries involving children.

She presented a motion to council Wednesday that would have made it easier for residents to get a permit to pedestrianize their neighbourhoods on Halloween.

The proposed permit would work like those for a block party. Maloney also suggested providing free street barricades to permitted blocks, with “delivery and pick-up and free basic event insurance.”

The motion, which would have had the permitting process in place for Halloween 2026, was delayed in council Wednesday.

All five present members of the ABC P

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