Backyard burning ban in Sault Ste. Marie

Backyard burning generates considerable health costs, enforcement costs and environmental costs. The smoke from backyard burning activities permeates households and air sheds, and causes damage to personal property and the environment.

Backyard burning generates carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases and pollution and environmental impacts, contributing to poor air quality, adverse health effects and socio-economic impacts. Backyard burning rules are often not adhered to, despite decades of considerable enforcement and educational activities. Moreover, many times backyard burning is illegally used to burn dangerous products and garbage that release toxic smoke and particulate matter.

The use of backyard burning and it's adverse impacts are poised to become worse as existing regulations have created a loophole for additional consumer artefacts. There are suitable alternatives for almost every use of backyard burning. Backyard burning in an urban environment adversely affects too many people to be considered a socially acceptable activity. Many people close their doors and windows to avoid summer smoke from backyard burning, choosing instead to operate air conditioners to keep cool rather than use natural breezes and obtain fresh air.

This compounds air quality problems and raises needlessly our community's energy demands and carbon footprints. Those unable to afford air conditioning are most adversely affected and often are the most vulnerable amongst us. All of these adverse effects are encountered from backyard burning, adversely impacting our health and health care systems. Backyard burning needs to be prohibited inside urban areas to ensure the safety, comfort and health and well-being of all residents of and visitors to the Sault.

whereas backyard burning causes considerable interference with and complaints from residents;

whereas backyard burning generates considerable enforcement costs;

whereas backyard burning contributes pollution and greenhouse gas emissions to the local and global airsheds;

whereas backyard burning generates health impacts and hospital visits;

whereas backyard burning damages personal and public properties;

whereas almost all backyard burning purposes have reasonable and suitable alternatives;

therefore be it resolved that the city of Sault Ste. Marie restrict the use of backyard burning for all purposes except for food cooking through the use of regulated food preparation devices as covered by provincial legislation.

Personal wants should never outweigh community obligations and responsibilities or societal well-being.