City Councillor Catherine McKenney has decided not to proceed with a motion to declare Ottawa a sanctuary city -- at least not right now.
McKenney has argued that such a designation would free undocumented refugees from the fear they might be arrested if they use city services.
Instead, McKenney says she will compile a report on the issue for presentation to a future meeting of the Community and Protective Services committee, to allow for public input.
The idea has come under fire from several councillors.
Mayor Jim Watson has asked the city's legal staff to give him an opinion on whether such a motion would make any difference in the city's treatment of refugees.
Watson says he won't support a motion that has no meaning, and one the city wouldn't have the authority to implement.