Again, not everyone in St. George's ward responded.
Chickens or not, that is the election question
By Marlene Bergsma, Standard Staff
This is the fourth article in a weekly Hot Topics election feature that will run every Thursday leading up to the Oct. 25 municipal vote. It was written in response to a reader request. What issues matter to you? Tell us, and we'll consider your suggestions for Hot Topics. You can reach us by e-mail at mailto:mvandongen@stcatharinesstandard.caor by phone at 905-684-7251.
Even the mayor says he's a chicken on this one.
St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan, who was behind the original request for a staff report on the issue, says he doesn't want to weigh in yet on whether he actually supports it.
His request for a staff report on the options for backyard chickens and rabbits — made on his behalf in May by Merritton Coun. Jeff Burch — wasn't necessarily a vote in favour of permitting the practice, said McMullan, explaining why he is not responding to a request to state his views.
"I'm too chicken," he laughed.
But the issue of backyard animal husbandry has ruffled the feathers of people on both sides of the debate.
Now that the final decision will be made by the new council after the Oct. 25 municipal election, advocates on both sides are busily marshalling arguments, updating Facebook pages and getting signatures on their petitions in hopes of getting the outcome they want.
Pro-chicken advocates say the birds are healthy, ethical, environmentally friendly and a sign that a city wants to be sustainable.
Anti-chicken crusaders say they are dirty, noisy, potentially dangerous and simply don't belong in an urban environment.
The candidates appear equally divided.
Of the 11 candidates who responded to The Standard's request for an opinion, five said they are in favour of permitting backyard farming, six said they're opposed.
Whatever your views, it's an issue that has the potential to pit neighbour against neighbour — especially because it's the city's practice not to enforce its bylaws unless there's a complaint.
If there are chickens in your neighbour's backyard and they're bugging you, the city won't do anything about it unless you lodge a formal complaint in writing.
That's one of the reasons Melissa Smith joined the Facebook fan page "Oppose new by-law for back yard chickens," and started spending her Saturday mornings gathering signatures for the anti-chicken petition.
She said the chickens that are already living in her Haig St. neighbourhood are eliciting numerous complaints to the humane society and the city's bylaw enforcement officer, and are forcing unhappy residents to snitch on their neighbour.
"How do you enforce something like smell?" asked Smith, saying one person might claim the chicken coop is not raising a stink, while someone else might find it offensive.
"People should not have to be affected by (a neighbour's) chickens."
She said residents across the city will be pitched into similar battles if council approves an urban farming bylaw.
Meanwhile, Sheri Fogel, who also has joined a Facebook fan page "Petition to allow chickens in St. Catharines" and is also gathering signatures on a petition, said she hopes councillors eventually approve a bylaw similar to Vancouver's.
That city passed an urban farming bylaw this summer regulating the number of chickens or rabbits a homeowner can have, the size of the yard, the size of the enclosure and guidelines for their care.
Fogel said most people she encounters think backyard farming is a good idea.
"I haven't talked to anyone who is against it. Anybody I've talked to in person thinks it's a good idea, and a small percentage thing it's a great idea."
Fogel said she has hundreds of signatures on her petition. Smith won't say how many signatures she has, because she doesn't want the other side to know yet. Both say they'll be at council when the issue is raised again, which will be after the election.
Both women are soliciting candidate positions on the issue, not necessarily because it will determine how they'll vote but to simply be informed.
Smith said it matters more to her how a candidate formulates an opinion, and Fogel said she wants to give other urban agriculture advocates a chance to "know who to vote for."
"I want to vote for councillors who are willing to research the topic and answer e-mails," she said.
Mayoral candidates David D'Intino and Alexander Davidoff both say they're opposed, with Davidoff musing in a mocking fashion that the new downtown arts centre would become a place to exhibit farm animals, and D'Intino saying he doesn't think council should even be talking about it.
It's "frankly appalling" that backyard chickens are getting attention instead of debt, tax increases or unemployment, D'Intino said. "I think this issue epitomizes how out of touch council is with the common voter.
"Council is obliged to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people — they are not obliged to entertain every ridiculous idea that crosses their path."
HERE'S WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE SAYING
Alexander Davidoff, mayoral candidate: Opposed
"It's a ridiculous issue. There are many more serious issues for St.Catharines and Merritton. The issue of chickens and rabbits as a food source makes me think of coon hats and an open fire. Chicken coops are not sanitary, and the old noisy cock in the morning is no fun for anyone, not even in a cartoon."
David D'Intino, mayoral candidate: Opposed
"The issue is whether chicken coops and other similar devices should be allowed in backyards. Many voters have e-mailed me saying that they do not support this practice and I have to agree with them. Apart from the smell and feces left by the animals, publicizing this issue hurts efforts made to represent St Catharines as a forward-thinking, progressive city. It gives the impression that St Catharines is a rural, bumpkin town.
John Bacher, St. Patrick's: In Support
"Rabbits and chickens are two very different aspects of possible urban agriculture. I do not believe that rabbits are appropriate for urban agriculture. They are commonly household pets, and many residents would be traumatized by their slaughter in close proximity to their homes. This however, is not what happens when chickens are raised for eggs. There is also the ability to have a good regulatory by-law for raising chickens for eggs, based on a city staff report on this topic, which was well vetted by public health and humane authorities."
Robert George, St. Patrick's: In Favour
I believe that the pros outweigh the cons and the risks are quite minimal. I strongly support sustainable living in St. Catharines, and urban farming gives people the ability to offset their food costs and raise healthy food. Limitations and restrictions should be set for the living standards and quantities that are kept, as well as types of animals: example roosters not be allowed to be kept. Urban farming should not infringe on others' rights.
Mat Siscoe, St. Patrick's: Opposed
I would vote against such a motion based on the research I've done and complaints I've heard from local citizens. This is my position on the matter, but it's not an issue I intend to raise; in the midst of high unemployment and increasing property tax rates, most residents have told me that they'd rather city council was working to fix those problems rather than spend time on urban farming issues.
Alan Ziemianin, Grantham: In Favour
I am in favour of allowing backyard chickens, with some limitations. I think a small number should be allowed (two or three) and only on a certain sized property. In general, people have good intentions and if you are a responsible person and want a few chickens, you should be able to have them. I don't like telling people what they can or can't do in their own back yards. Also, I am against rabbits being farmed inside the city. I am troubled by the thought of someone slaughtering a pet rabbit in their garage to eat.
Marty Mako, Port Dalhousie: Opposed
"I've asked residents of the Port Dalhousie ward for their opinion on the issue. The vast majority oppose chicken coops in urban settings, citing concerns related to smell, noise and the environment. These are all very valid concerns, which I understand and support."
Bruce Williamson, Port Dalhousie: Opposed
"I support agricultural pursuits being conducted in rural, farm areas. Many residents have voiced their opinion to me in favour of maintaining the integrity of suburban residential areas for human habitation. I am on their side, as I do not wish to see domestic farm animals being kept in backyard coops or pens."
Laura Ip, St. George's: In Favour
"It is estimated by one of the local feed stores that there are currently 60 or so families who keep chickens. Until coops were requested, the public heard no complaints from residents about those who were keeping chickens. I don't believe that most residents are very concerned about this issue, as it has not come up at all in my canvassing or other discussions.
The (pro-chicken) group that presented to city council in September has researched by-laws in several other municipalities and been in touch with humane societies. They've done their homework. If there were issues with avian flu or any of the other public health related concerns, we would have been hearing about them, as Niagara Falls currently allows residents to keep up to 10 chickens.
I believe that the request for a by-law change, which is modelled after the by-law in Vancouver, is perfectly reasonable.
Greg Washuta, St. George's: Opposed
"I have received a number of e-mails and calls from residents about allowing people to keep chickens in the city. The main concerns are odour and noise due to the chickens. Therefore, chickens should not be allowed in the city. Rabbits are currently allowed in accordance with the city by-law and should be allowed in the future in accordance with the by-law."
David Haywood, Merriton: In Favour
"The pro side has a solidly researched, scientific-based, ecologically friendly position on the issue. Therefore I agree the city should look into allowing people to engage in urban farming: hens, but not roosters. A good start to this would be to work out the regulations, enforcement, or yard-size requirements that need to be formulated for back yard urban farming. Having these animals can reduce our local carbon foot-print (less trucks transporting the goods we now raise), result in less waste to the landfill (chickens and other farm animal eat most of our food scraps); and lastly, provide local residents with cheap food while at the same time freeing up their scarce disposable income."
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