Public talks inform bylaw
Hearing on agriculture bylaw draws crowd
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, October 20, 2016
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Local landowners, business owners and Sen. Nick Sibbeston, as well as some of Fort Simpson's youth, spent an evening at the village office on Oct. 17 to provide their input into a proposed agriculture bylaw.
Some of the participants in the public hearing included Shelley Empey, left, Mark Gillanders, Val Gendron behind them, an unknown participant, Garey Ekotla, Elliot Betsaka, Gus Croatto and Steve Gooderham. - April Hudson/NNSL photos
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The bylaw, which passed first and second readings on Sept. 19, initially stated no farm animals or poultry would be permitted or kept on lands zoned for residential use. That extended to chickens, ducks goats and pigs, among others.
But on Oct. 17, during a public hearing on the bylaw, many community members came out against the current wording and asked the village to re-visit the bylaw and look instead at allowing a certain amount of farm animals and poultry.
Resident Shelley Empey suggested the village look into the types of regulations other municipalities in Canada place upon farm animals. She gave the example of Yellowknife, where some animals such as chickens can be kept within city limits.
"I would like to ask the council to at least look into that," she said.
Some of the ideas residents brought forward included allowing animals based on lot size and introducing regulations to ensure the well-being of farm animals.
Elliot Betsaka, a youth who attended the meeting, suggested the village put a limited bylaw in place that would allow farm animals on larger properties.
"I think if you have proper structure, proper fencing, everything you need to keep your animals safe and secure . then why not let people do that?" he said.
"Being able to raise and harvest your own food is not as costly as going to the Northern all the time . If there's a way people could have a long-term solution where they wouldn't have to buy eggs (or) milk every single week, in the long run that would save them money."
Other people, including Coun. Sean Whelly, suggested the bylaw might not be necessary at all.
Whelly said he felt the village may have been "jumping the gun" in developing the bylaw, suggesting the village consider tabling the bylaw until a future time when agriculture is a more pressing issue to consider.
"I haven't heard any neighbours complaining even about the potential of their neighbours getting into some chickens or livestock," he said.
"It seems like at best (it's) a potential problem, not one that's currently in play right now."
Sen. Sibbeston also spoke about his life at Bannockland, as well as the farm run by his son, Randy Sibbeston.
The elder Sibbeston said he felt concerned the village's regulations may impinge on the freedom he currently feels at Bannockland.
"Be conscious when you make your bylaws, you're regulating people (who) are not used to being caged in," he said.
"I just love the North and I particularly love living where I am . Please don't regulate, don't control me where I live."
Mayor Darlene Sibbeston said one of the ideas that struck a chord with her at the hearing was allowing more animals on larger lots.
She reminded residents the proposed bylaw is a work in progress.
"(We're) not always going to get it right," she said. "With your assistance and help, we want to get it right going forward."
