Whereas Council received the attached letter from No Nuisance Noise Ontario (NNNO!) which included a Motion from the Town of Ajax regarding setting a maximum decibel count for exhaust systems in the Province of Ontario.
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Council of The Corporation of the City of North Bay endorses and supports the Motion from the Town of Ajax.
And Further that a copy of this Motion be sent to the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, MPP Victor Fedeli, Chief of Police Scott Tod, North Bay Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Town of Ajax and No Nuisance Noise Ontario.
NO NUISANCE NOISE ONTARIO NNNO!
do Thomas R. Bell
PH 201 -2 Westney Road North
AJAX, Ontario
LIT 3H3
Email: thomasrbell@hotmail.com
Telephone: (905) 683-2455
January 23, 2022
Mayor A. McDonald and Councillors
City of North Bay
200 McIntyre St. E.
North Bay, ON
P1B 8V6
SUBJECT: Nuisance noise created by
modified/missing mufflers
Dear Mayor McDonald and Councillors:
As the elected representatives of one of the 60 largest municipalities in Ontario, we are soliciting your assistance in helping your constituents to experience a quieter, less noise -polluted life while aiding millions of other Ontarians to enjoy a quieter world as well.
Our group started as a group of 106 condo dwellers who sent a petition to the Mayor and Councillors of the Town of Ajax. We petitioned that they do something about the ever-increasing, ear-deafening noises being produced by vehicles whose mufflers have been altered to create and amplify noises such as backfires and machine gun sounds, to name but a few.
The Mayor and Councillors were very supportive of our request but we quickly learned that our concern was really with the Highway Traffic Act. The Town of Ajax had passed a Council Resolution earlier in the year dealing with the noise issue and were doing as much as possible given the current provincial legislation.
We feel certain that this is not just an Ajax problem and that you likely have heard from your constituents that this is a problem and perhaps have even experienced it for yourself.
Our purpose in writing to you is to ask whether or not your jurisdiction has anything on record dealing with vehicular noise. If you do, we would appreciate receiving a copy. If you don't, we respectfully ask that you consider a resolution similar to the one passed by the Town of Ajax. We have taken the liberty of attaching a copy.
Page 2
On, or about, March 15, 2022 it is our intention to write to the Honorable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. With the assistance of all 60 jurisdictions, hopefully, the voices of over eleven million Ontarians would be heard and the government would change the Highway Traffic Act to include at least some of our suggestions. As this is an election year there is a possibility that other parties might see this as an issue as well.
Our letter to the Ontario government will include copies of the current legislation that are in force in various localities throughout the province along with suggestions for amendments to the Highway Traffic Act such as:
- Including a specific and enforceable decibel limit, e.g. 80 decibels
- On conviction that a sizeable fine be imposed
- Offenders be required, within a given period, to supply proof that the vehicle has been re--modified to at least meet current standards
As the Highway Traffic Act has not adequately dealt with the noise pollution problem, the financial responsibility for the costs associated with implementing and operating the program be paid for by the government for a period of 5 years. The costs to include
- purchase and upkeep of the necessary monitoring equipment
- training of local personnel
- financial liability for the payment of local enforcement officers
As the government would be financing the program, any fines levied should be shared on an 80% government, 20% local basis.
We are hopeful that you, and the council, will help us to eliminate this health jeopardizing problem by providing a copy of the legislation that is currently in force in your region or by enacting legislation and providing us with a copy.
Thank you in advance for any assistance that you may be able to provide.
Tom Bell
On behalf of NNNO!
The Corporation of the Town of Ajax
June 21, 2021
Council Resolution Extract
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
- Ajax Council urge the Province of Ontario to work with the Lieutenant Governor to expedite the proclamation of section 75.1 of the Highway Traffic Act (Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c. 14, Sched. 16, s. 11);
- The Ministry of Transportation be requested to set a maximum decibel count for exhaust systems to ensure that exhaust systems with the capability of exceeding 80 decibels will not be available for sale and will not be permitted in the Province of Ontario, and consider reviewing and increasing associated penalties for non-compliance;
- The Province of Ontario be requested to provide funding for police services in Ontario to be equipped with approved decibel monitor devices to aid in effective enforcement efforts; and
- A copy of this motion be sent to the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, the Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Long-Term Care and MPP for Ajax, all Durham Region Members of Provincial Parliament, the Region of Durham, all Durham municipalities, Durham Regional Police Service, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
Carried
Questions regarding the contents of this extract may be directed to the undersigned.
Alexander Herres
Manager of Legislative Services / Deputy Clerk
Town of Ajax
T: 905-619-2529 x 3342
E: alexanaer.narras(coajax.ca