Thousands of Niagara Region residents who live within "earshot" of local vineyards, have their lives and lifestyles disrupted and their mental and physical health endangered by the constant, explosive barrage of propane-fired bird cannons used by grape growers.

Taxpayers want this unnecessary noise to STOP!!

BIGGER PROFITS AT NEIGHBOURS' EXPENSE
Propane cannons are a cheap and easy way for grape growers to scare predatory birds away from eating a small percentage of their crop. Meanwhile, residents within several kilometers are forced to endure the the non-stop BANGING and BOOMING of the cannons for the many months of growing season and suffer from the invasive, unnerving noise as it continues day after day, month after month, whether birds are present or not! Many of these residents owned their properties long before the grapes were planted or cannons came into use. (So it's not a matter of, "Then why did you move here in the first place?")

The growers are encouraged by their well-funded industry associations and the Ministry of Agriculture to use whatever technology they want in order to maximize profits...in flagrant violation of the spirit of existing noise bylaws, and in spite of the fact that more effective, quiet technology exists.

A FEW VIOLATING THE RIGHTS OF MANY
There are only a few handfuls of Niagara grape growers but they have the lobbying power of the Ontario Grape Growers association and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture as well as the backing of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) who created the provincial legislation which supersedes both federal and municipal laws and allows farmers to flout long-standing noise pollution regulations!

If a resident complains, they are referred to the local OMAFRA representative who quotes the Farming and Food Production Protection Act as justification for the noise. "Nuisance complainants" (as the Ministry refers to us on their website) "MAY be granted a hearing if the complainant insists". The hearings are conducted by a committee comprised of nearby farmers and their lawyers and, not surprisingly, 95% of the time, they are decided in favour of the farmers.

IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE
Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers Association, said it best on their own website (http://www.grapegrowersofontario.com/): "The Canadian wine industry is ready and well-positioned for expansion". She didn't mention a corresponding potential reduction in property values for nearby homeowners due to the increase in "industrial" noise levels, but the message is clear for the long term: 
PEACE AND QUIET HAS NO FUTURE IN NIAGARA.  
To confirm her dire predictions, drive West on Lakeshore Rd. from Port Dalhousie toward Seventh Street. Much of the land between Lakeshore and the QEW already contains vines and cannons....and much of the remainder is slated for additional vine plantings. A dramatic increase in thunderous bird cannon use won't be far behind and property values for Northwest St. Catharines/Port Dalhousie residents will be in further peril.

DO FARMERS HAVE OPTIONS?
Yes, they do. Netting has been proven to be a silent and effective way of keeping birds away from grapes, and there's a new laser-light technology available as well as many other visual deterrents, but Ontario farmers don't want to spend any extra money for these quiet solutions. Why would they?...they're protected by the FFPPA....the Farming and Food Production Protection Act that says farmers can do anything they want in order to increase production and profits. Any amount of pollution in the form of smells, dust, smoke, flies, vibration, light and NOISE is allowed if it results from a "normal farming practice". And of course the "inbred" Normal Farm Practice Review Board...again, comprised of farmers and their lawyers...decide what is "normal".

DON'T BECOME CANNON FODDER
If you like to sleep-in occasionally on weekends, (even just until sunrise!)...or enjoy reading quietly on the front porch in the afternoon...or "salute" the sunset with a glass of wine in the back yard after dinner, please help us preserve THESE "normal" practices by encouraging our Members of Parliament and our Premier, to make a sensible, fair decision about what to do with grape cannons. They can change the legislation that allows the cannons to begin firing 30 minutes before sunrise and continue BANGING, BOOMING and EXPLODING until 30 minutes after sunset.

By signing this petition, we concerned taxpayers of Ontario affirm that the use of grape cannons creates an undue hardship on nearby residents and hereby request:

1. That the Government of Ontario work with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ontario Grape Growers to find a reasonable compromise for bird abatement that doesn't cause an annoyance for city dwellers in Niagara

2. That until item 1 is achieved, by-law enforcement officers of Niagara Region be allowed to levy fines in accordance with existing regulations against cannon users operating outside of ministry guidelines.

Thank you, and please visit our Facebook page for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/makestcatharinespeacefulagain/