Cramahe Township is preparing a bylaw that asks that residents do not feed wildlife and various birds in public spaces.
At the June 6 council meeting, delegate Lorraine Chapman presented a proposal for a bylaw to prohibit the feeding of seagulls on municipal property, citing specific concerns at the Keeler Centre. Later that month, council directed staff to prepare a by-law to prohibit the feeding of seagulls on municipal property within the Township of Cramahe.
On Tuesday night, Cramahe CAO and Clerk Holly Grant told council they looked to examples in Cobourg which states waterfowl as well as Digby, Nova Scotia which focuses on wildlife and birds.
Coun. Joel Schriver said he would support a bylaw for public spaces similar to Digby, and made a motion to that effect to include wildlife and various types of birds.
Coun. Ed Van Egmond suggested it could lead to neighbours who don’t get along filing complaints if they see feeding of squirrels or hummingbirds. He suggested limiting the bylaw to seagulls with the possibility to add wildlife later.
“If we end up getting where raccoons become a problem then we could add raccoons and stuff to it but I don’t think anybody feeds skunks around here,” Van Egmond said.
Schriver said he only disagreed because the bylaw would be for public spaces only.
“On any private property, people can certainly feed whichever animals they see fit to feed,” he said.
Coun. Sherry Hamilton agreed and was supportive of the bylaw if it was for public spaces only.
“We don’t want to interfere with people’s ability to feed birds in their yard because that is a big hobby for a lot of people.”
There was hesitation for a seconder to Schriver’s motion. Van Egmond said he didn’t think anyone feeds pigeons locally, but was corrected by Mayor Mandy Martin.
“Okay maybe we do need a second bird added to it,” Van Egmond said. “You know what, whatever makes this motion get done without us talking about it all night long, I’m in favour of it.
Hamilton seconded the motion to direct staff to prepare to prepare the bylaw prohibiting feeding wildlife and various birds in public spaces.
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