The owner of a West Vancouver barber shop is urging the District of West Vancouver Council to intervene after receiving a $280 bylaw infraction ticket for displaying flags outside the shop. Ahmed (Michel) Ibrahim, who has operated West Van Barbershop on Marine Drive for three decades, expressed his frustration in a letter to council.
“On September 6, 2024, I was visited by two West Vancouver Bylaw officers. They had received a complaint of ‘flags’ being flown in front of my barbershop, 1345 Marine Drive. For 30 years, I have flown flags in front of my shop, from all countries, as a way of community inclusiveness and received many good wishes from customers and passers-by,” wrote Ibrahim.
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Ibrahim explained that he had removed the flags and is disputing the $280 fine but appealed to the council for support. He highlighted his contributions to the community, including supporting local charities and providing soccer equipment to children locally and in 33 countries. “Although I am disputing this ticket through the normal process and have withdrawn the display of flags as per the officers’ request, I am appealing to you, as a 30-year resident and small business owner in West Vancouver, to intervene on my behalf,” he added.
District Responds to the Infraction
In response, the District of West Vancouver cited safety concerns and bylaw violations as reasons for issuing the ticket. According to Matthew O’Connor, Manager of Bylaw and Licensing Services, the flags and a temporary freestanding sign box were found to be obstructing traffic signage and encroaching onto the sidewalk.
“The Bylaw Department received a complaint about the box and numerous flags you placed on the District boulevard/sidewalk in front of 1345 Marine Drive. Officers followed up with you in person on September 6, 2024, to explain the contravention and request you remove the box and flags back onto private property. The flags were observed to be obstructing traffic signage and encroaching into the sidewalk, and the box was of a temporary nature,” wrote O’Connor.
He further detailed specific regulations under the District’s Sign Bylaw No. 4499, emphasizing restrictions on the number, size, and placement of flags. O’Connor clarified that patriotic flags are allowed on private property as long as they comply with the bylaw and thanked Ibrahim for his contributions to the community.
“We appreciate the work you have done in the community, particularly in the realm of soccer teams, equipment, and support,” O’Connor acknowledged, while encouraging Ibrahim to continue the formal dispute process.
Unbelievable. I am shocked and disgusted at the pettiness of the complaint. I fully support Mr. Ibrahim’s request to council to withdraw the fine. Seriously? After 30 years? I enjoy seeing the flags. Thanks to Michel for his tremendous community service.
The flags outside Michels barber shop have always been a delight, and no real obstruction to anyone. This is quite unlike the rest of the sidewalk to the east,
which was actually closed for months due to building reconstruction
Government over reach ! Thank you to the store owner !🇨🇦 May the Creator bless you and your family 💞🙏
HuggZ Becky 🇨🇦
About the Flags, well maybe Mr. Xjinping would appreciate the display (?)
A nice verbal warning would have been enough, but taking away $280 of the BBC server Shops receipts seems exaggerated.
Back a long way to 1958-59 a group of small investors put up the bucks to create “Cloud Nine”, a jazz coffee house on the north side of Marine Dr. We had a not so correct tacky sign in the draped front windows. Our cover charge then was 2 bucks, on par with U.S.
The police came by to listen when we featured to top jazz artists, many as they were.
Nothing upscale, just cinder blocks supporting boards for benches.
We also produced the best Hoagies north of Stanley Park.
I wonder if Mr. Code manager
Couldn’t this have been an educational opportunity rather than a ticket? The Public doesn’t even get a ticket for leaving garbage out that kills bears, but they ticket for flags on the sidewalk? Kinda ridiculous
Surely there are bigger fish to fry
Why didn’t they ask him to remove the flags if it was a safety issue, did they have to issue a ticket? I feel a part of our multicultural community when I see the various different flags representing our diverse community
After 30 years?!? Of course, we all know which flag among the bouquet of many flags was troublesome in their eyes. Hint hint: it’s red, black, white and green. And clearly, whoever snitched was a Zizi monster. Iykyk. Ridiculous!!