Staff
The area’s Medical Officer of Health is asking town council to consider an outdoor smoke-free bylaw for the Point Park beach.
In a letter from Dr. Kit Young Hoon of the Northwestern Health Unit, she informed council that the Smoke-Free Ontario Act was amended to create smoke-free outdoor spaces in communities.
As of Jan. 1, it is illegal to smoke within 20 metres of children’s playgrounds and public sports fields, including spectator stands.
It’s also illegal to smoke on bar and restaurant patios whether or not there is a roof over them.
This regulations apply to all municipal playgrounds, including those located at municipal beaches.
But because the smoke-free area is only a 20-metre radius around playground equipment, sports fields and spectators, there is a possibility that public places in which they are situated only will be partially smoke-free, Dr. Hoon noted.
As such, she urged the town to take this time to act under the Municipal Act and make the Point Park beach 100 percent smoke-free regardless of the distance from playground equipment.
“A bylaw would equalize outdoor protection from second-hand smoke across the community and result in less cigarette butt litter on the beaches,” she wrote.
“It will enhance the positive image of Fort Frances as a community that supports health lifestyles, along with other municipalities including Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, and Toronto,” she added.
Dr. Hoon noted health unit staff would be pleased to work with the community to develop and implement such a bylaw.
Council referred Dr. Hoon’s request to the Planning and Development executive committee for its recommendation.
Also at last night’s meeting, council:
•passed a bylaw to authorize the signing of an agreement with Kurt Carlson (Sunny Cove caretaker);
•passed a bylaw to authorize the signing of an agreement with Wepruk Enterprises (information systems support);
•passed a bylaw to designate Lots 88 and 122, Townplot of Alberton, pursuant to Section 50(4) of the Planning Act;
•passed a bylaw to approve a funding agreement with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. for a collections management co-ordinator intern at the Fort Frances Museum;
•passed a bylaw to approve a service agreement with The ActiveNet Network Ltd. for software services and support;
•passed a bylaw to approve a Materials Services Agreement with Product Care Association (management of end-of-life paints and coatings);
•passed a bylaw to authorize the execution of a contract with Bay City Contractors (2015 road reconstruction, and watermain and sewer replacement);
•passed a bylaw to approve an agreement with Miller Environmental Corp. to host the annual Household Hazardous Waste Day here;
•passed a bylaw to authorize a licence agreement with the Rainy River District Stewardship for geospatial data;
•passed a bylaw to authorize the sale of Part 1 Plan 48R-3119 to abutting landowner (65179 Ontario Inc.) on King’s Highway; and
•heard a report from CAO Mark McCaig re: the Town of Fort Frances strategic planning input opportunity for residents on June 8.
