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The city is recommending its public art program remain suspended until next year as it works to make changes following years of backlash toward various controversial pieces.

Criticism over contentious installations such as Travelling Light, better known as the giant blue ring in the city’s northeast, and the Bowfort Towers near Canada Olympic Park led to the suspension of the public art program while the city reviews its process for selecting new projects.

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An administration report, scheduled to be discussed Wednesday by council’s community and protective services committee, recommends the city report back to council early next year on its review, including details of a public art plan and strategy for 2020-22.

It also endorsed a plan previously approved by council to change the way public art projects are funded.

Under the city’s current public art policy, one per cent of the budget for new capital projects, such as recreation centres or roadway construction, must be used to fund public art installations in the vicinity when the total project budget is less than $50 million.