Latest news with #DebMcIntosh
CBC
21-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Sudbury city council asks Ontario government for help cracking down on winter salt use
Sudbury city council has voted unanimously to ask the province to take steps to help reduce the amount of salt spread on private properties every winter. Coun. Deb McIntosh, who introduced the motion, said many businesses in the city use more salt than they need on their parking lots, driveways and walking paths. "They're concerned, rightly so, of slips and falls and because they get sued and their insurance rates go up," she said. "So they overcompensate." In her motion, McIntosh proposed the province develop limited liability legislation so businesses are protected from lawsuits as long as they meet a minimum standard for salt usage. She also suggested that the province introduce enforceable contractor training for managing snow and ice removal, along with standards for best practices to cut back on salt. "There's no regulation on how much salt you can or cannot use on a private property," she said. McIntosh said that's a problem because winter salt dissolves over time and ends up in local waterways where it can be harmful to the environment and make its way into drinking water. Ontario has an aesthetic objective for chloride in drinking water of 250 milligrams per litre. That means that chloride, or salt, concentrations in drinking water should not exceed 250 milligrams per litre to ensure "good taste and prevent corrosion in the distribution system." Testing under the city's Lake Water Quality Program done in the spring of 2024 found that chloride levels in Ramsey Lake, the main source of Sudbury's drinking water, was under that threshold at 82.4 milligrams per litre. Of the lakes the city tested, Lake Nepahwin had the highest levels at 166 milligrams per litre. McIntosh said the city has taken its own precautions to cut back winter salt by only applying it to busier arterial roads, such as the Kingsway. For residential streets, city contractors use sand with a small amount of salt added to prevent it from clumping. Richard Witham, chair of the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance, said he supports McIntosh's motion. "I think it's a really positive step and it's something that the Ontario government needs to implement and it needs to be done at a provincial level because they're the only ones who can basically make this move forward," he said. Witham said high chlorine levels in local lakes from winter salt is harmful to aquatic life, and especially zooplankton called daphnia that eat algae. That could increase the risk of blue-green algae blooms, which produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. Witham said it would be a "win-win" for the province to address winter salt use and introduce limited liability for businesses and contractors. "It's a win for the environmental organizations and it's a win for Landscape Ontario, which represents the contractors who remove ice and snow because they are also pushing for this," he said.
Hamilton Spectator
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Habitat for Humanity officially opens Sudbury South End location
Do you want resale and not retail? Want to avoid any taxes? Want to support a great cause? The Habitat for Humanity ReStore can help you answer 'yes' to all these questions. 'It is within walking distance for many and there is transit that goes right by,' Coun. Deb McIntosh said in support of the location. She also talked about the partnership with the South End Community Action Network and the establishment of community gardens at the Armstrong Street location. The contents of the store are displayed in a clean, bright space. While it has been open for months, store staff have been waiting in anticipation for the symbolic official ribbon cutting. McIntosh, representing her city colleagues and the mayor of Greater Sudbury, was delighted to wield the scissors on Friday. 'The official ceremony is over,' said ReStore manager Richard Barlow. 'Yes, we have been open for four months but we needed to wait until now to get it all ready and operating smoothly. 'It is also hard to get everyone in the same place on the same day, and here we are,' Barlow said, who attributes that readiness to the hard work of volunteers and staff. Kimberley Woodcock, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North, talked about the organization in this part of Ontario. 'We go from Midland all the way up to Timmins,' Woodcock said. 'We recognize the north as very important and also having unique character and needs. 'We found a great location here. We are thrilled with the building. Richard brings the kind of energy and engagement we were looking for.' Woodcock revealed some more good news. 'We are looking forward to building.' It sounds like Habitat for Humanity will construct more homes for families here. It won't be this summer, though. 'First, there is land acquisition, then planning. It is a two-year cycle,' she said. With the help of volunteers, donors and Habitat homeowners, local Habitat outlets in every province and territory across Canada help build and rehabilitate decent and affordable homes, from single-family houses to multi-unit developments. Meghan Taylor, senior director of operations, who is located in Bracebridge, has been very involved in the Sudbury ReStore. 'We have about 55 or 60 people here today at the celebration,' Taylor said. 'We love our volunteers. Sometimes we recruit and other times people just show up and step up. They come in weekly and others daily. 'A lot come out for the social connection. It is a fun place to be a volunteer. We have eight staff (in Sudbury.) Some are part-time. This is a lovely building in such a great location.' Habitat for Humanity's ReStore welcomes you Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2167 Armstrong St. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government. Bluesky: @ X: @SudburyStar
