Home / Environment / Angry Bird Lovers Flock to City Hall, Win Crucial Vote
Angry Bird Lovers Flock to City Hall, Win Crucial Vote
22 Jan
Summary
- Council unanimously preserved bird-friendly window requirements for new buildings.
- Over 700 residents voiced objections to weakening the bird protection bylaw.
- A compromise allows flexibility for developers while still protecting birds.
Winnipeg city council has decided to retain a bylaw requiring bird-friendly window treatments on new constructions near malls and major roadways. This decision came after significant public outcry from bird advocacy groups and residents. Over 700 individuals formally objected to the proposed deletion of the bylaw, which was less than a year old.
The public service had recommended removing the rule due to feedback from developers citing sourcing difficulties and costs associated with bird-safe materials. However, the strong public response prompted councillors to seek a compromise.
Council unanimously approved an amendment preserving the core of the original requirement. This amended bylaw mandates bird-friendly treatments on windows up to 16 metres high or the top of nearby trees, at the discretion of a city director. This offers developers flexibility in the types of treatments used.
Bird advocacy groups, like Bird Friendly Winnipeg, welcomed the decision with cautious optimism, acknowledging the importance of effective protections. The bylaw applies specifically to areas under a 'planned development overlay' aimed at increasing housing density. Environment and Climate Change Canada estimates millions of migratory birds die annually from window collisions in Canada.
