WEYBURN - The first reading of beekeeping bylaw was passed at Weyburn City Council, during their regular meeting held on October 11.
Over the past couple of years, the City of Weyburn received several inquiries regarding beekeeping in the community. In May 2022, one of the interested parties submitted a request that the City implement a bylaw to regulate beekeeping in city limits.
In July 2022, City Council requested that Administration explore the possibility of a beekeeping bylaw, since no current City bylaw mentions regulations for the keeping of bees. City staff researched regulations in other Saskatchewan municipalities, the Apiaries Act, 2005 and additional resources to develop a draft bylaw for Council’s review.
Potential beekeeper Wendell Bailey provided a few key facts about beekeeping to Councillors, in answer to a few questions.
When Coun. Richards raised the concern of bee swarms, Bailey responded that when a bee hive is swarming is when they are at their most docile.
“Hives grow to a point, where the queen will leave the colony, and half of the hive will follow her. Beekeepers love swarms, as it is an opportunity to expand their hives and will jump at the opportunity to claim a swarm,” said Bailey.
“Bees are also important pollinators, and they can create a big benefit to gardeners,” he added.
He moved to Weyburn last year, and has taken courses on beekeeping to hopefully start his own colony, if the bylaw is approved. “I got my first interest in bees from my grandfather, years and years ago. Now that I am retired, I hope to keep bees as a hobby. They are very interesting insects.”
The City invites the public to provide input on the new bylaw, which allows, controls and regulates the keeping of bees within city limits.
Weyburn residents can submit feedback on the City of Weyburn website or directly contact the City Clerk.
Public input on the existing bylaw will be collected until Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Staff will then report back to Council what was heard in the feedback.
On Nov. 14, Bylaw No. 2022-3449 will come back to Council for further discussion and possible passing of the bylaw.
Fire Prevention Week
The City of Weyburn read a proclamation to mark October 9 to 15 as Fire Prevention Week in the city. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”.
It focuses on the important safety tips and actions that residents can take to keep themselves ready to respond when a fire alarm happens. This includes a fire escape plan for homes and local businesses.
Weyburn Fire Chief Trent Lee attended the council meeting, and noted that it was important for residents “to keep in mind fire safety and prevention every week of the year.”
“I challenge all residents to take responsibility for their life safety, check their homes and ensure that they have a working smoke alarm on every floor of their house, in every bedroom and outside their sleeping areas, as well as a working carbon monoxide alarm on every floor, and to have planned and practiced their home escape plan,” said Mayor Marcel Roy, after presenting and signing the proclamation.
