Yorkton takes on pilot project after plea from young beekeeper
The City of Yorkton is allowing up to five families to keep bees in their backyard as part of a new pilot project, after a family of beekeepers made their case before council.
Eight-year old Ewan Hunter and his mother Allison Henderson-Hunter, pitched a pilot project which would allow them to keep a single hive in their backyard.
“It felt meaningful to go to our council over an idea that came from our son and was so important to our family,” said Henderson-Hunter.
Since the age of three, Hunter said he has always had a deep interest in bees and beekeeping.
Yorkton’s animal bylaws include bees as species not allowed within city backyard spaces, however, the pair informed council of other cities like Regina, Saskatoon and Edmonton, allow for urban beekeeping under set requirements.
Currently the City’s Animal Control Bylaw prohibits urban beekeeping, but if the pilot project is deemed successful, amendments will be made in order to permit backyard bees.
“We looked into the guidelines and regulations in other cities, especially Edmonton-- that have very Robust guidelines around beekeeping,” said Henderson-Hunter.
The presentation concluded with council agreeing to the pilot project, allowing up to five families in Yorkton to have backyard bees.
Mayor Mitch Hippsley said that although backyard bees are allowed, this may not include other animals. He said council looks forward to what ideas may come along the future.
“It will be interesting to see what comes to the table based on the premise of the beekeeping,” said Hippsley.
The family said that they have received a lot of support from the community. Although the family is not allowed to sell the honey, they are excited to indulge as soon as they can.
“Well we as a family have a veracious appetite for honey, so we will be eating a lot of honey. Ewan is a honey monster I would say,” said Henderson-Hunter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.