The city will not consider allowing backyard chickens, after a motion to look into it was defeated Monday night.
The idea was from Northwood Councillor Shelby Ch’ng, who wrote keeping chickens for their eggs would help maintain Thunder Bay’s food supply in case of a COVID-19-related food shortage.
The only votes in favour were from Ch’ng, Neebing Ward Councillor Cody Fraser, and Current River’s Andrew Foulds.
Fraser was interested in getting “fresh material” to present to any constituents looking for information on backyard chickens.
“2016, that’s four years ago. Lots has changed on the landscape as far as food security, which Councillor Ch’ng has mentioned,” Fraser said, “But also in the education, as far as educating children where food actually comes from.”
City Councillor Mark Bentz explained he’s against backyard chicken coops himself, and feels there’s no need to re-visit the issue that was previously voted down in 2016.
“I think I know what I need to know about it, I’ve got a lot of feedback from folks in the community, many non-supportive,” Bentz said.
Councillor Trevor Giertuga called the motion “premature.” He said he would prefer the issue be delayed to a later meeting, but a motion to do just that was defeated at the start of the discussion. Giertuga pointed out that any required public consultation on the issue wouldn’t be able to happen during the province’s state of emergency.
“Because how could we pass anything, especially something like this, without hearing from our constituents?” Giertuga asked.
He reminded Council their procedures mean that it would take nine votes if any Councillor wanted to re-visit this same motion during this term.
