Centre Wellington Township has given its stamp of approval to Wellington County’s new smoking bylaw, but it was not unanimous.
The county approved a new bylaw on Nov. 27 because it noted that the regulations passed by the province were far more stringent in many areas than a bylaw it had passed years ahead of the provincial government.
But the county had allowed Legions and seniors’ homes some leeway in phasing in the no smoking rules. The new bylaw does not allow smoking in either, and there is no smoking within five metres of any county building.
For councillor Walt Visser, the issue is a tough one.
“I’m really against smoking and it has a good deal of health hazards,” he said.
But, he added, he does not feel right about taking away the right to smoke in Legions, given that many Legion members fought for Canada’s freedom.
“They fought for our rights,” Visser said.
But Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said the Fergus and Elora Legions have been phasing in the no smoking rules for several years, and they are finding many more people are coming to enjoy their facilities because of the no smoking.
She said going back over that issue “doesn’t move anything ahead.”
Kirk McElwain noted that Wellington Terrace requires nine metres distance from its buildings than the rest of county buildings.
Councillor Bob Foster said the township is trying to promote “health and wellness” through its In Motion campaign, and said stopping smoking is showing leadership.
When the vote was called, Visser did not vote.
The motion to approve the bylaw carried.
