No one would think for a moment to use a chainsaw when framing a house. We have yet to see a trim carpenter wield a ballpein hammer while putting trim into place. It’s just common sense, rural style. Use the right tool to do a job.
So why is it, then, that government often grabs the wrong tool when addressing issues requiring a simple dose of common sense. It’s as if they can’t help themselves from engaging in overkill, predicting every what-if scenario when drafting legislation.
Recent revelations at Mapleton council had us pondering this thought of heavy handedness, where News broke that farm open houses and social events are under fire.
In reaction to an issue of too many guests frequenting a farm property in Wilmot Township, the Ontario Fire Safety Commission is making recommendations that $500,000 be spent to make his barn safer in order to host functions.
Like the proverbial use of a sledgehammer rather than a fly swatter for dealing with a pest, it appears other less intrusive events will fall under similar guidelines, negatively impacting what remains of rural heritage in Ontario.
For generations of rural folk, the gracious bank barn and farm yards were host to many social events. By spring, the hay and straw mows would be close to empty so after a thorough sweeping, it was a perfect rain-free site for a wedding, barn dance or stag and doe. Times have changed and options abound, making the farm wedding a less favoured option than it was decades ago.
We recall another instance which will be under fire as new rules are considered.
A rather proud dairy man showed up at our office one day to set into gear an open house ad, so neighbours and fellow dairy people could come and see his family’s new facility. This gave a chance for the contractor and sub-contractors to meet potential customers. It also gave the family a chance to showcase their investment and ideas they implemented to make their operation better. Under these new rules, a genuine social event would be subject to reams of rules, making it not worth the hassle.
If a rural property is in fact being used for a truly commercial purpose, then zoning changes should be undertaken to make the use legal and safe for the public. We have no argument there.
But, as is the case with most prescriptions coming out of government offices in Toronto, urban solutions don’t mesh well with rural needs and culture.
