City Council has voted 23 to 14 in favour of an 18-month trial program permitting chickens to be kept in the backyard of homes in four Toronto wards. Criticism has been aimed not just at the birds but the flighty decision to approve the pilot without any input from the public at large. Councillor Jon Burnside (Ward 26) called the lack of consultation with the public “government at its worst.” Councillor Georgio Mammoliti (Ward 7) disdained the subject as unimportant and asked “What the flock is going on at City Hall?” But others were pleased. It seems Joe Mihevc (Ward 21) and Justin Di Ciano (Ward 5) will be getting chickens as soon as the pilot starts.
“CLEAN AS CATS AND DOGS”
“To have a few pets in your backyard that also have the benefit of producing eggs, there’s nothing wrong with it from a public health perspective, from a nuisance perspective,” Mr. Mihevc told reporters. “They are as clean as cats and dogs.” Councillor Stephen Holyday (Ward 3) warned this marks “the introduction of livestock into the city,” and it’s not clear where that will end, nor how much work it will create for city officials. Councillors did put forward motion to refer the matter back to staff to study further, but that was rejected. Mayor John Tory voted in favour of going ahead with the backyard chicken pilot project The chicken pilot will be run in Ward 5, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ward 13, Parkdale-High Park. Ward 21, St. Paul’s and Ward 32, Beaches-East York. CBC
