Offers of help have poured in for a Winnipeg homeless man who was ticketed for selling his art on the sidewalk.
People across Canada contacted the CTV Winnipeg newsroom with offers to help pay for Jamie Hogaboam’s $300 permit and buy his art.
One man contacted his insurance company and was told the $2 million liability insurance policy could cost up to $700 annually.
Another woman started a GoFundMe page in his name.
“It’s kind of just really mind boggling. I'm kind of overwhelmed by the whole thing right now,” said Hogaboam.
READ MORE: Ticket halts business for homeless artist
Hogaboam is considering his options. He says there’s a lot of red tape involved in the process.
He hopes the city will work to find a way that he can sell his art easier.
City to review busking rules
Hogaboam’s ticket, a by-law infraction, was for selling art on a downtown street during specified hours.
The Winnipeg Police Service said officers issued a Provincial Offence notice for “sitting or lying down on sidewalks in the downtown and neighbourhood commercial zones” under a City of Winnipeg by-law.
It says, “No person shall, during the period 10:00 hours to 22:00 hours of any day, sit or lie upon a sidewalk, or upon a blanket, chair, stool or any other object placed upon the sidewalk” in Winnipeg’s downtown.
A similar complaint from a downtown busker in May prompted the city’s protections committee to review busking rules.
At the time, a report was ordered to be sent back to the committee in 120 days.
It’s expected to be discussed at the committee’s meeting in October.
