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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 13, 2006 - 3 Halton Region could create pesticide bylaw By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO OAKVILLE BEAVER The verdict is in -- Halton Region could likely create a Halton-wide pesticide bylaw if it wanted to. The word came from the Region's legal staff during the Health and Social Services Committee meeting Thursday, when the pesticide issue was once again discussed, but no decisions were made. Recently, a group of residents pushed the Region to bring in a bylaw that would restrict the cosmetic use of pesticides, but was told that Halton has decided it's a matter best dealt with at the local level. Staff was asked to look into the issue further and told the committee that based on the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision to uphold the City of Toronto's pesticide bylaw, it's probable that some form of similar bylaw could be passed by an upper-tier municipality like Halton. The committee also learned that the Region would have limited jurisdiction to do so and would have to make sure there are no conflicts with provincial and federal rules. The news drew mixed reactions from the councillors attending. Burlington Councillor Bob Wood, who doesn't sit on the committee, encouraged his fellow council members to consider the legal opinion. "This is a public health issue," he emphasized. But Regional Chair Joyce Savoline pointed out that when the matter was previously discussed, it was the "political will" to deal with pesticides at the local level. While Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville said he agrees the matter is best served by each local council, Burlington Councillor Rick Craven countered that pesticide legislation should be created by the provincial government. "There's no sense in passing a bylaw that's unenforceable," Craven said. While the Province's recently implemented Smoke-Free Ontario Act was discussed as an example of Ontario-wide legislation, Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll argued the act was only brought in after years of leadership demonstrated by local governments putting anti-smoking bylaws in place. Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal said the health department continues to support a "prudent avoidance" approach to pesticides, meaning to rely on natural control and preventative measures and use chemical pesticides only when all other measures fail. Nosal noted this position doesn't preclude elected representatives from putting a restrictive bylaw in place. Halton CAO Brent Marshall once again outlined the Region's current, environmentally-friendly initiatives, such as the fact it discontinued spraying pesticides along rural roadsides 20 years ago and on all Region properties four years ago. Nobody on the committee put forward a motion regarding a pesticide bylaw. Milton council recently decided it's going to hold a public consultation on the cosmetic pesticide issue in January and then decide if a bylaw should be put in place. -- Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Search begins for new deputy chief The Halton Regional Police Services Board is looking to fill the vacant Deputy Chief of Operations position created with the recent appointment of Gary Crowell as chief. Board Chairman Ken Musgrave said applications will be invited from both internal and external candidates. "It must be noted that this decision was taken by the board in full recognition of the existence of very talented and highly qualified individuals within the Halton Regional Police Service," he said. Building on the selection criteria used for the chief's position, the successful applicant will allow the board to continue with the development of a strong executive management team to lead the service into the future, Musgrave noted. The decision to fill the vacancy at this time comes as welcome news to Crowell as the priorities of the service and the region are addressed. "The filling of the deputy's position will allow the management team to ensure the Service's goals and objectives for the community are carried out," said Crowell. "It also allows the service to continue fulfilling its mission to provide effective and efficient community-based policing." The board hopes to announce the results of its recruitment efforts by the end of the year. The Halton Regional Police Services Board is a seven-member civilian Board that governs the Halton Regional Police. Metroland undergoes corporate restructuring Continued from page 1 of three dailies, including The Hamilton Spectator, The Record of Kitchener Waterloo, The Guelph Mercury and 10 weekly newspapers -- with Metroland's more than 100 community newspapers concentrated in southern Ontario. 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