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Livestock bylaw reined in
Proposal left out dogs and horses

Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 04/00) - A majority of council members are not happy with the city's definition of an agricultural operation.

Council agreed to introduce an agricultural mill rate in its Property Classification bylaw next year, but the proposed definition of an agricultural property has frustrated some councillors.

The terms of the classification, drafted by city administrators but based on the GNWT's definition of agriculture, has left several questions unanswered.

Councillors had several problems with the report submitted by administration during last week's council meeting, but were mainly concerned with the statement that horse stables and dog kennels are not classified agricultural.

Coun. Cheryl Best asked city administrator Max Hall how many farming or agricultural operations are in Yellowknife besides North Country Riding Stables and kennels that raise sled dogs.

"... I believe none," replied Hall.

Best said if the city is not including horse stables or dog kennels in the bylaw, that means council is introducing an agricultural mill rate for absolutely no reason.

"We don't have orchards, we don't have sod farms, we don't have a nursery - there is no agricultural industry in this city," she said, pointing out the issue of an agricultural classification only came before council because of a request from North Country.

Administration's report does not classify horses as livestock either, stating they are used for recreation and not food production.

Best said the Livestock Acts of British Columbia and Alberta both recognize horses as livestock and even a recent Supreme Court Decision states "...farming includes livestock production ... the production of livestock includes horses, whether produced for racing, showing, riding, or some other purpose."

Best said Yellowknife should take the same approach.

Only Coun. Alan Woytuik disagreed, saying the horses at North Country are being used for a commercial operation and should be classified as such.

"The riding stable is a business, plain and simple. What they are doing is boarding people's pets," he said.

"I don't see it as an agricultural business ... when I think of agricultural I think of food production and I think of livestock in that same aspect."

Council decided to send the report back to administration for re-drafting. The issue will be debated at an upcoming Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee meeting.

North Country is required to pay $15,000 per year in property taxes. It is currently zoned as an industrial/commercial property.

The equestrian centre currently has $30,000 in tax arrears. The city has advised that if outstanding taxes are not paid by Jan. 1. 2001, the property will be auctioned off.