At a committee-level meeting, Madawaska Valley Council decided to defeat a motion calling for further discussion for what would have been an unprecedented discharge firearms bylaw.
On Tuesday, Madawaska Valley’s CAO Sue Klatt presented a report outlining concerns voiced by a number of residents from Mahon’s Landing following two events involving gunshots fired by a duck hunter near homes in the area.
Klatt called on council members to respond to requests from local residents, including five named in the report, to bring forward a bylaw regulating safe distances for the discharge of firearms.
The concerned residents requested council consider the implementation of the bylaw “specific to establishing distances” to homes.
“[The residents] initially addressed issues with the OPP and concerns with the MNR of a hunter too close to the Shoreline and shooting in close proximity to their homes, while duck hunting on the water,” said Klatt.
Klatt explained that because there is no discharge fire bylaw outlining the distances and restrictions residences, the hunter was allowed to continue to hunt in close proximity.
“One of the parties that had concerns felt the hunter was incorrect. The individual followed proper channels by contacting firstly the MNR, then the OPP about his concern. It was also elevated to the MPP’s office.
“They’re advised the hunter was correct and were surprised to learn that there is no provincial regulation as it pertains to distances from homes.”
Klatt said she had contacted a number of communities including Hastings Highlands, Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan, South Algonquin, Killaloe-Hagarty-Richards, North Algona Wilberforce, Bonnechere Valley, Whitewater, Pembroke, Petawawa and Horton Township, Hastings Highlands and the town of Renfrew.
Klatt reported that such a bylaw does not currently exist in these areas, saying that similar bylaws are predominantly being used in urban areas or restrict the discharge of firearms within town limits.
“Online, I found examples of discharge bylaws in Greater Sudbury, Milton, London, Hamilton,
Whitby, and the Town of Bancroft.”
In the town of Bancroft, bylaw #746-97 prohibits the discharge of firearms within the town boundary.
Madawaska Valley council pointed out that currently, no law or bylaw exists within the province or any of its municipalities identifying a set “safe” distance around homes within which firearms could be discharged.
They noted that such a law or bylaw would be “unprecedented.”
Coun. Linda Neuman said that such a bylaw limiting a distance could be difficult to implement over areas where water bodies are present.
Coun. Joseph Cybulskie said the township does not have jurisdiction.
“We as residents do not own the water,” he said.
“Passing a bylaw wouldn’t mean anything.”
Cybulskie pointed out that many residents including himself are hunters and rely on hunting to support family and community households.
Cybulskie reflected on past incidents where bullets were fired into households including his parent’s home.
He said the OPP and the Ministry of Natural Resources would have the ability to enforce firearm activity, not the town.
Coun. Shellley Maika agreed that the township has “no jurisdiction.”
While a motion for further discussion was seconded by Neuman, the motion was defeated by council.
