Councillors get earful on firearms bylaw plan
Councillors get earful on firearms bylaw plan
Hunters pack meeting to voice opposition to any more restrictions
It was standing room only, as almost 100 people packed the Trent Hills council chamber and the lobby outside on Tuesday evening for a chance to tell councillors how they felt about a proposed bylaw that would restrict the use of firearms in built up areas.
Most were opposed to the idea, but some sympathized with Christine Trillard, the woman whose complaints about hunters near her home who have been firing at geese on the Trent River the past two falls, led council to consider updating municipal bylaws.
Trillard said her home on County Rd. 50 north of Campbellford between Locks 13 and 14 is only about 20 to 30 feet from neighbours on both sides and she’s been subjected to constant shooting from September to December. “I can’t sit out on my lawn,” she said.
Robert Blair Anderson, a member of the Campbellford Pistol and Revolver Club, offered to come and talk to her neighbours to ensure they understand and are following safe hunting practices.
Retired police officer Joe Watson said council needed to insist that the OPP and conservation officers enforce existing laws, not draft another law.
Steve Jones summed up a common view: “Stupid people are going to do stupid things, no matter what a bylaw says.”
Many hunters pointed out that they are licensed and trained and must follow existing laws or risk their licences. But it was clear that some people feared that any new restriction on hunting could lead to more and more regulations. Ron Nelson said the proposed bylaw “set off alarm bells” about more potential restrictions.
The meeting heard from 15 speakers and 33 people also sent in written submissions, although a couple of the writers also came and spoke. If you want to share your views with council email planning@trenthills.ca by May 13. Staff will consider all the facts and opinions and make a recommendation to council on a potential bylaw at a future meeting.
Stephen White, Chief Building Officer, kicked off the meeting by outlining what was under consideration. He reiterated several times that the municipality was not aiming to restrict hunting. Currently, Campbellford is the only part of the municipality where firearms use is restricted by a bylaw and the proposal would expand that to Hastings, Warkworth, some hamlets such as Norham and Trent River, and to built up waterfront areas.
Brian McRae, a local resident who is Director of Government Affairs for Delta Waterfowl, a duck hunters’ organization, said hunting is a safe, well-regulated activity and if anyone is breaking the rules they should be reported to the OPP or conservation officers.
McRae said the issue “struck a nerve with hunters” because urban sprawl into Trent Hills has created conflicts between new residents and life-long residents.
Jackie Shute, who owns 144 acres near Canal Rd., supported restrictions on the use of firearms in residential areas.
“Provincial and federal laws and knowledgeable enforcement agencies are already in place to deal with the safe use of firearms and hunting activities,” said Kevin and Katherine Curle. “In short, we don’t need this bylaw, it will just be another burden on the taxpayers of Trent Hills.”
They said the primary problem seemed to be a noise complaint about the shooting, not actual unsafe use of a firearm.
Robert Goudereault received a lot of applause from the crowd when he said that people who don’t like the noise of hunting should “go back to the city.”
Mayor Bob Crate thanked all the speakers and those who sent in submissions. “I have learned a lot,” he added.
Deputy Mayor Mike Metcalf, who chaired the meeting, thanked everyone for being civil and sticking to the topic.
