Alberton defeats smoking bylaw again

For the second time this year, Alberton council has defeated a proposed bylaw to ban smoking in all enclosed public places within the township.
The first one was defeated back in March.
The latest vote—taken at last Wednesday’s regular monthly meeting—came after Dr. Pete Sarsfield, CEO and medical officer of health for the Northwestern Health Unit, ordered area municipalities to pass a bylaw that bans smoking in all enclosed public areas, or else.
The bylaw was defeated by the three councillors present.
“I don’t know why he’s pushing it so hard,” Coun. Doug Mitchell said of Sarsfield. ”It won’t be policed.”
Coun. Lisa Allan also spoke out against the proposed bylaw. “The provincial government already has laws,” she remarked.
Mike Ford, Alberton’s newest councillor, also disagreed with the proposed bylaw. “I just don’t feel comfortable with it,” he said.
Coun. Bill Morrison was not at last Wednesday’s meeting but he’s been one of the district’s most vocal opponents such a bylaw.
Reeve John Milling was the only person who spoke in favour of the bylaw. “I think we should do it, it’ll be symbolic,” he said.
In other news, Alberton council:
•approved a request from the Township of Hastings Highlands to have the spring bear hunt re-instated;
•approved a motion to permit representatives to attend the Rainy River District Municipal Association meeting Sept. 18 in Rainy River;
•approved a request from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) to endorse a “Grow Bonds North” proposal discussed at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference Aug. 19; and
•approved a proclamation to make Oct. 14-20 Canada’s Citizenship Week.
Alberton council will hold its next regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.