Sneaky sneaky, HRM.
A couple weeks ago the Halifax Regional Council deemed the Halifax Public Gardens one of fifty spots around the city where it will be illegal to feed the ducks and pigeons. Being an avid duck-feeder during the summer months and having spent many hours enjoying the public gardens during my years in Halifax, I have a big beef with this new bylaw.
What frustrates me is the reason they quoted as to why they implemented the bylaw. You can find the cbc story here, which states that “Municipal staff said the new rule is needed to protect the birds from an improper diet and to avoid water pollution caused by increased waterfowl waste.”
Firstly, if you go to a park with birds and ducks, expect to see some bird and duck crap – that’s a no brainer. I’m not saying it doesn’t increase the amount, but I’d argue that the public doesn’t mind it in a park.
I think the idea of “protecting the birds from an improper diet” frustrates me the most. Don’t get me wrong, I love the ducks, and I’d hate to see them unhealthy. But where’s the fine for feeding our children McDonald’s? I think more time and effort should be put into the fact that Nova Scotia has the highest obesity rate in Canada than using our resources to fine those few people who find enjoyment in getting outside and walking through the park to feed the ducks. It really doesn’t make sense to me.
I know for me the public gardens was a destination because of the enjoyment from feeding the ducks. I know this is especially true among the elderly and children in HRM. People were actually making a trip out of the house and walking to the gardens to feed the ducks and for those who relied on that walk as part of their daily activity are now in need to find something else they enjoy.
Is there some sort of healthy duck feed you can charge (perhaps quite a premium) for people to feed the ducks with at the Public Gardens? Perhaps fine people who use anything but the feed. I would look into alternative ways to make this a win-win instead of just an outright $200 fine.
Although, something tells me it will last half the summer and it will become too hard to enforce anyway.
