LETTER

Mosquito spraying in Aylmer?

 

On June 14, 2017, the letter entitled "City sees no mosquitoes in Aylmer" might have led people to believe that Aylmer was disadvantaged compared to other parts of the city. Yes, it's true that spray for mosquitoes is being used in the Gatineau sector. This goes back to the former City of Gatineau, in 1996. (I believe we, in Aylmer, didn't want to adhere to such a program at the time.) And residents of that zone must pay a special tax for that, above regular taxes.  Since the biopesticide is sprayed in an aquatic area, it had to be approved first by Quebec Ministry of Environment. The covered zone is about 592 ha and the maximum authorized is 600 ha. Therefore, to add other locations would require an analysis and authorization from the Department of Environment, and this won't happen in 2017 or 2018.  According to environmentalists and biologists, although convenient for humans, those pesticides deprive birds and other animals of the insects they eat and might affect the whole food chain, threatening potentially our own survival in the long run.

On another topic raised in the same letter, let me specify that there is only one sidewalk on Vanier Rd. and on Fraser Rd. between Lucerne Blvd. and the river. The other side of the street is reserved for cyclists, etc. Yes, there are no sidewalks in Wychwood, but there are sidewalks in other parts of Aylmer (Deschênes, Glenwood, Old Aylmer, etc.) and the purpose of those sidewalks is to ensure the safety of pedestrians. One must admit that Vanier Rd. and Fraser Rd., between Lucerne Blvd. and the river, see many more cars running fast than other less-busy areas of Aylmer. I hope those new sidewalks and cycling paths will be appreciated by citizens.

Richard M. Bégin, Councillor,
Deschênes District