Edmonton's loudest street preacher speaks out

The Edmonton street preacher at the centre of a debate about freedom of speech and noise pollution says his loudspeaker sermons are no racket.

"We're not here to make trouble," said Dale, who declined to provide his last name to CBC News. "We're not here to cause problems or take to away a piece of the streets.But we have a message that is very urgent and we need to be heard."

At least twice a week, on one corner of Churchill Square, Dale sets up a mic and small speaker to preach Christianity to anyone within earshot.

His use of an amplifier has been described as "annoying" by councillor Michael Oshry,who recently called for a re-examination of Edmonton's noise bylaws.

Administration is now exploring ways to regulate the use of loudspeakers in public spaces.

• Edmonton councillor wants to pull the plug on the 'church' of Churchill Square

According to Oshry, Dale has been the subject of numerous complaints from downtown businesses and residents.

Though Oshry wantsto see soapboxpreachers unplugged, he said he has never received a complaint about any other street performer,and would not want to see musicians targeted in the regulation.

However, Dale said his presence should not be considered a nuisance.

"We are not any louder than any of the other buskers, and in fact even this last week, I'm now preaching at half the volume that I did."

He started using an amplifier in the first place, he said,as a way to curb complaints.

"We use amplification. At first we didn't,and people were saying, 'Why are you yelling at everybody?' Well, we're not yelling, we're just trying to be heard."

Administration will look into the city's options for regulating street noise, and is expected to report back with recommendations for councillors to debate by years' end.