With the blistering hot weather steamrolling into southwestern Ontario this weekend, Lake Erie beaches likely will prove a popular destination to seek relief from the heat and humidity.However, is that quality outdoor time sprawled on a beach towel atop the sand negatively impacted by a blue haze of cigarette smoke wafting in the breeze?
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) prohibits smoking in many public areas; however, municipal bylaws are still needed to cover the gaps in places like parks and beaches.
Many municipalities have smoke-free park bylaws, but beaches in the Southwestern Public Health region remain unregulated.
All of that could change by as early as next summer.
In 2016, the health unit conducted a poll at Port Stanley Beach and online to gauge support for smoke-free beaches. A total of 1,612 responses were received. Overall, 72 per cent supported smoke-free beaches, with 88 per cent in favour among beachgoers.
Such a move to extend smoke-free regulations to beaches in Elgin is in the very early preliminary stages, advises Laura Crandall with the health unit’s Tobacco Control Program.
“So now with the Board of Health’s support to move forward with some of the outreach to our local municipalities, we will begin some collaboration with our municipal partners to explore any possibilities where we could strengthen any existing bylaws that the municipalities may already have in place, by including beaches.
“So that’s kind of where we’re sitting right now in terms of that really initial exploring phase, but really looking at a collaborative approach with our municipal partners and seeing this as an opportunity to strengthen any existing policies to increase our protection of the community from any secondhand smoke exposure in our public spaces.”
She continues, “So the beaches bylaw is an area where beaches are not covered under those smoke-free Ontario regulations. So that would be an area that’s kind of identified as a gap, and municipalities can implement their own bylaws to go above and beyond the SFOA.”
Crandall adds that beaches in Port Glasgow, Port Stanley, Port Bruce and Port Burwell do not have a smoke-free beach bylaw. Enforcement of such a bylaw would be the responsibility of the municipalities.
“I think over the past 20 years, we’ve done a significant amount of work, both locally and at the provincial level, to work on or to implement smoke-free outdoor spaces and really denormalize smoking and now vaping within our public areas.”
“So if there’s any municipal bylaw that’s implemented, it’s the responsibility of the municipal bylaw enforcement officer to enforce. We’re at the early stages of talking and thinking about any sort of bylaw; those conversations have yet to be had in terms of what that enforcement piece would look like, but it would be the responsibility of the municipal bylaw enforcement officer.”
Likewise, responsibility for the posting of signage would lie with the municipality.
“Signage and education to the public would be a huge component of implementing any new bylaw. So, public health would be able to support with some signage, but it would be the responsibility of the municipality to ensure that it’s in place under their bylaw.”
And, each municipality would have to determine penalties for bylaw infractions.
Is there a likelihood that a municipality could resist adopting a smoke-free beach bylaw?
“I think that could be a possibility. I think over the past 20 years, we’ve done a significant amount of work, both locally and at the provincial level, to work on or to implement smoke-free outdoor spaces and really denormalize smoking and now vaping within our public areas.
“The amount of research and support for the protection of especially our children, youth, and vulnerable populations from secondhand smoke is very well evident. And those smoke-free spaces are kind of normalized and an acceptable piece of our society in today’s communities.
“So I would expect that adding beaches into any sort of smoke-free space would be just strengthening the current legislations that already exist.”
“And any extra policies or bylaws that we can put in place to protect vulnerable populations and kind of continue the denormalization of smoking in public spaces, especially for youth, is important.”
Incorporated into the bylaw, adds Crandall, would be restrictions on vaping at a beach.
“Yes, absolutely. We are seeing higher rates of vaping, especially among youth within our region. We would recommend that vaping be included within all of the language of any potential smoke or vape-free bylaw within our beaches and public spaces.”
She stresses there is no specific date for the implementation of a smoke-free beach bylaw.
“We would really like to first connect with our municipal partners and start those conversations and see kind of where opportunities lie. I think ideally we would like to start those conversations within the summer, as beach-going season is upon us and start that dialogue to have something possibly implemented next year.”
Crandall concluded, “The smoking rates have decreased significantly over the past 20 years. We are seeing increased rates of vaping in the last few years. But it is important to note, too, that smoking is still the number one cause of preventable cancers and preventable death in Canada.
“So it is still an issue. And any extra policies or bylaws that we can put in place to protect vulnerable populations and kind of continue the denormalization of smoking in public spaces, especially for youth, is important.”
Crandall concludes, “And we know the positive effects that smoke-free policies have on our populations by the denormalization and the reduced visibility, especially for youth.
“But also for those individuals who have made a quit attempt recently or who have quit smoking. That decreased visibility in public spaces really helps that continued quit success or prevention of any relapse.”
ROAD CLOSURE IS THE ANSWER
An intersection in Southwold Township, the scene of several serious accidents this year, will soon be taken out of commission.
The three-way intersection of Talbot Line, Ron McNeil Line and Ford Road was most recently the site of a two-car crash that sent two people to hospital on June 8.
That last incident was enough carnage for Southwold Mayor Grant Jones, who advised that Ford Road would soon be closed at Talbot Line.
“We’ve had way too many accidents there, almost weekly, with some very serious ones lately.
“It’s at that point where we can’t justify keeping it open. And the majority of the people who live in that area supported the closure.”
Late this week, signage was posted alerting motorists that the intersection will be closed as of June 30.
The intersection is part of the province’s plan to twin Hwy. 3 through St. Thomas to Ron McNeil Line and a new Hwy. 3 alignment that will bypass Talbotville.
Prior to the above changes necessitated by the announcement of the PowerCo EV battery gigafactory to be located in St. Thomas, the plan was to construct a roundabout at the intersection.
The City of St. Thomas would prefer that the Ford Road connection at this intersection be maintained to provide an opportunity as a future collector connection to the ongoing residential development south of Talbot Line.
Jones advises that approximately 2,000 vehicles each weekday travel along Ford Road, and to keep it open for future growth in St. Thomas would “just be too much,” he stressed.
A turning circle will be created for the use of snow plows and garbage trucks.
On June 9 of last year, six people were taken to hospital, including one with life-threatening injuries, following another two-vehicle crash at the intersection.
SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN ST. THOMAS
Coun. Steve Peters may have opened a Pandora’s box with a request to city staff at Monday’s (June 16) council meeting.
“It has come to my attention,” noted Peters, “that we do not have a bylaw in place regarding short-term rentals.
“There is a situation in the city of a short-term rental that is causing some challenges for a neighbourhood as it is rented out.
“I received an inquiry from a resident, and I checked it out with planning staff and was informed that we do not have anything, so I am hoping that staff can take a look at this.
“We are seeing more and more short-term rentals, Airbnb and that kind of thing happening, and when a residential area has one of these units in it, now there is nothing that can be done.”
He is seeking a report from staff to be presented at a future meeting.
CITY STAFF VACANCY
The hunt is now on to fill a key position in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
With the director, Jeff Bray, retiring at the end of the month and Adrienne Lacey Griffin promoted to that position, her post as Manager of Parks and Forestry is now open.
The job posting notes that candidates should have four years of experience in a parks or horticultural environment, along with three years of supervisory or management experience.
An important function of the position is to oversee the locations of homeless encampments and coordinate the required interventions by city staff and other partners, such as members of the police service.The starting salary range is listed at $97,000 to $118,000.
The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. on June 30.
At Monday’s meeting, council acknowledged the service of Bray, who joined the city in 2021.
Looking back, one of the first major issues he dealt with was permitted uses at Lake Margaret, including fishing and non-powered boats.
And the lack of signage advising of what is permitted at the site, in particular, the fishing regulations.
This corner noted at the time, “After contentious debate over what should be permitted at Lake Margaret, the majority of council, including Mayor Joe Preston, appear content to turn a blind eye to the very behaviour members were warned about.
“Relying on the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) and social media to police a city-owned lake seems a less-than-ideal solution.”
HOMELESS MONUMENT UPDATE
Further information on the proposed Lives Lost of People Experiencing Homelessness monument to be erected at 230 Talbot Street later this summer.
At Monday’s council meeting, Heather Sheridan, the city’s Director of Social Services, advised that the monument will cost in the neighbourhood of $10,000 and several St. Thomas churches are covering the funding.
Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope
Visit us on Facebook
And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.
