Attendees:
Motion: To renew our membership to the Greenspace Alliance ($10). The Greenspace Alliance seeks to preserve significant greenspaces in the City. Moved by Shelley Parlow, seconded by Gisèle Loiselle-Branch. Carried 3 to 1.
Maria McRae thanked the Hunt Club Community Organization for its work, welcomed the people at the meeting and presented a report.
A motion to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides has been presented to Council. There are legal problems with this by-law because the City cannot legally prohibit pesticides in the City but exclude golf courses and rural areas. Councillor Alex Cullen has worked hard on his proposal to reduce the use of pesticides. She is in favour of his proposal. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is an agency of the Federal Government. Other Canadian cities such as Toronto, London, Montreal and Vancouver have passed by-laws against pesticides.
Gordon Graham took issue with the right of the Hunt Club Community Organization to pass a motion against pesticides because it does not represent the majority.
Brian McDougall: The Hunt Club Community Organization can take whatever position it chooses. There has not been a formal poll on this issue and the Organization does not have to follow the politicians. Other cities have adopted similar by-laws against pesticides.
Manuel Costa: Pesticides are a health issue. It is hard to prove the link between pesticides and health - dandelions are not worth the risk!
Barbara Leismsner: We need to trust the scientists, the health of our community is at state! The Family Physicians of Ontario have said "there is enough concern" they support a ban. Dr. Robert Walker of CHEO supports a ban. She has leukemia because of exposure to DDT!
Colin McSweeney is associated with the lawn-care industry. He wants to reduce the use of pesticides. The lawn-care companies asked the City for guidelines as to acceptable rates of application for specific chemicals but the City could not provide them. City staff were zealots!
Fred McLennan polled the meeting: "how many people are in favour of a ban on pesticides and how many are opposed"? 7 in favour, 11 opposed
Maria McRae: On Wednesday November 9, the City budget will be released: She is working with a citizens group cBAT who work to add value to the City of Ottawa budget: Maria is committed to eliminating waste in City spending.
Autumn Tea for Seniors was a great success! 130 people attended on October 28 at the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre.
There is a threat of a strike at OC Transpo. Maria does not want to see a strike and is against a lock-out.
Shelley Parlow: There will be an entertaining program of music and poetry to raise funds for the Poet's Path at the Beechwood Cemetary on Nov 17 from 19:00 to 22:00.
Gisèle Loiselle-Branch: There should be a sign on Twyford Street near the path to the A & P Plaza. The sign would warn motorists that seniors and handicapped people are crossing the Street. Pat Murphy will follow up on Gisèle's suggestion.
Alan Asselstine: On November 17, at the Jim Durrell Centre, there will be an open house to explain the East-West Corridor Light Rail Transit Project. The proposed east-west corridor effectively goes through the southern corridor, the proposed route will force riders from the east and west to go to South Keys but their destination is downtown.
Manuel Costa: the City needs the Light Rail Transit Project!
Next meeting: Mon 5 Dec 2005 at 7:30pm