To all supporters, below is a letter to copy and forward to ALL members of City Council. Please include your FULL NAME and ADDRESS as your signature!
*Note, Mayor LeMay's email address is included at the beginning of the letter*
June 5, 2020
His Worship Michael LeMay
City of Pembroke
1 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, ON K8A 3J5
Via email: mlemay@pembroke.ca
Re: Revisiting recreational open-air fire by-law in the City of Pembroke
Dear Mayor LeMay,
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our daily lives, the way we interact in our communities, and on our local economy that underpins our standard of living. The federal government is advising Canadians to stay home as much as possible, and limit our contact with people outside of our immediate families. Public gatherings are not currently allowed. As you are aware, the Ontario government recently extended its State of Emergency until June 30, 2020.
We have already experienced summer weather, and what better way to enjoy the warmer months than roasting marshmallows by starlight in your own backyard during this unprecedented time?
The City of Pembroke does not allow recreational open-air fires except for an arbitrary rule allowing property owners along the Ottawa, Indian, and Muskrat rivers to do so. In July 2019, City Council considered changing this by-law, and sought input from our community. 63% of respondents were in favour of allowing open-air backyard fires. Despite the majority of our community being in favour of this change, four Council members voted against making a change, and Council subsequently voted in favour of a motion to have staff prepare a report on developing public fire pits in Riverside Park. Public fire pits do not solve this problem since we are unable to gather, nor does it speak to the overwhelming support from the community in updating this policy.
With respect, Councillors who voted against updating the by-law made an arbitrary decision that flies in the face of democratic principles, with no strong data to support their claims. What is the point of having a public consultation wherein the majority of residents are in favour of such a change, if Council is just going to proceed how it sees fit anyway?
Councillor Brian Abdallah proposed a one year pilot project to be administered using rules that align with fire by-laws in other Ontario communities, such as the City of London and the City of Orillia. Our neighbouring communities of Petawawa and Laurentian Valley also have by-laws that provide clear guidance for residents to enjoy a fire in their respective backyards that is in step with the law. Councillor Abdallah’s suggestion provides sound support for finding a path forward that balances all public health concerns. If our neighbouring communities can have backyard fires, why can’t we?
It is clear that the majority of residents are in favour of exploring this idea further, and there are strategic ways in which the City of Pembroke can develop a transparent and reasonable by-law that protects the long-term health and safety of all residents, such as:
“Recreational Fires” shall mean an open-air fire that is set and maintained solely for the purposes or providing warmth and recreational enjoyment;
Recreational fires shall be confined to an area that is a minimum of ten feet or three metres from combustible structures or objects in all directions, including overhead;
Recreational fires shall be attended, controlled and supervised at all times and shall be completely extinguished before the fire site is vacated; and
Only materials such as commercially produced charcoal, briquettes, or clean, dry seasoned wood may be burned.
Moreover, we launched an online petition to reiterate our support for Council revisiting this issue, and we have obtained nearly 500 signatures to date.
We are cognizant that is important to be a “good neighbour,” and updating this by-law does not relieve residents from their obligation to comply with the Ontario Fire Code and the Environmental Protection Act of Ontario, nor does it relieve residents’ obligation to ensure that smoke does not interfere with the ability of our neighbours to enjoy their properties without disruption. Our goal in seeking your support to revisit updating this by-law, is to ensure that we continue to be respectful and considerate toward our fellow neighbours.
As our local government considers ways of fostering economic recovery during this uncertain time, we are respectfully asking Council to work with the community to constructively explore how to update this by-law by which residents can enjoy their summer around a backyard fire with their families, while abiding by physical distancing protocols.
Thank you for considering our request.
Yours sincerely,
cc:
Deputy Mayor Ron Gervais
rgervais@pembroke.ca
Councillor Brian Abdallah
babdallah@pembroke.ca
Councillor Ed Jacyno
ejacyno@pembroke.ca
Councillor Patricia (Pat) Lafreniere
plafreniere@pembroke.ca
Councillor Andrew Plummer aplummer@pembroke.ca
Councillor Christine Reavie
creavie@pembroke.ca