WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2015
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Bylaw takes aim at propane cannons
Alex BUTLER
Abbotsford News
The city has taken “the only course of action we have left” to deal with the conflict created by propane cannons, with a bylaw that will allow enforcement of the Ministry of Agriculture guidelines for bird scare devices, said Mayor Henry Braun. Braun told The News that council’s approval of the bylaw on Monday – which now requires
endorsement from the Ministry of Agriculture – will not please everyone, but is a first step to addressing the problem. The use of cannons is protected by the provincial Right to Farm Act. The devices, which emit multiple loud blasts, are used by farmers to protect their crops from birds, but many neighbours object to the noise. Last year, the previous council approved a bylaw with stricter
regulations than the current version, but it was denied by the ministry, which said the bylaw would effectively ban cannons on half the farms in Abbotsford. While Braun said he recognizes some residents are unhappy the city didn’t push that approach, he said the previous attempt for harsh restrictions didn’t work and “we lost a whole year.” “I understand the plight of those who have cannons right
next to their houses and I think with the bylaw we will see the complaints go down. That’s what happened to the Township (of Langley).” The new bylaw, like the ministry guidelines, allows the devices to operate from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. – or from sunrise to sunset, whichever is less – and for single-shot cannons to go off once per five minutes and multi-
COMBING FOR CLUES A3 Police are still investigating a reported home invasion in Abbotsford on Friday
Continued on A5
GARBAGE FEE INCREASE A3 Abbotsford opposed to Metro’s tipping fee increase at Matsqui transfer station
‘LOVE GRETA DAY’ A10 Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, students rally behind a sick classmate
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Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A15
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Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . .A19
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PASTEL WATERS Ducks ripple the waters of Mill Lake during a spectacular sunset Monday evening.
KEVIN MACDONALD Abbotsford News
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