Proposal to ban leaf blowers in Toronto runs out of gas
Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007 | 5:03 PM ET
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A proposal to ban leaf blowers didn’t win over Toronto city council’s licensing and standards committee on Friday.
Members met to talk about a motion presented by Coun. Michael Walker to ban the blowers during the spring and summer months, but after a brief debate, they rejected the idea.
Both Walker and Coun. Joe Mihevc said they support a ban because the machines, particularly those powered by gasoline, create too much noise and pollution.
The city already restricts the use of the blowers, prohibiting people from using them from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. ET the next morning.
Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong said getting any tougher than that would impose an "unnecessary nanny state initiative."
He added a ban wouldn’t be fair to individuals who can’t do their own yard work and must hire lawn-care companies to rake leaves.
In a letter to the committee, Coun. Gloria Lindsay Luby said those considering a ban should be made aware that “not all homeowners care for postage-sized lawns.”
The committee also heard from equipment makers and lawn-care companies. They said the blowers now are much quieter and cleaner today than they were a decade ago.
Toronto’s climate-change plan introduced last week encourages residents to use brooms and rakes rather than leaf blowers.
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