Div. 2 Councillor Tyler Hazelwood was suggesting a hike in fines for people who disobey burn permit rules. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Rural politics

Burning questions addressed by R.M. of Prince Albert council

Mar 19, 2020 | 3:39 PM

Some big changes are in the works in relation to how burning permits are dealt with in the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Prince Albert.

At present, the fine for burning without a permit is $1,700 ($1,200 from the city and $500 from the R.M.). Because of the municipality’s new fire contract with the city, the city will no longer be invoicing so the R.M. has essentially been left alone to impose its own fine. At Thursday’s council meeting, Councillor Tyler Hazelwood suggested hiking the fine to $2,000.

“If you get your permit, and you follow the instructions, you’ll never get the fine,” he said, adding another possibility council could consider is the violator incurs all the fire fighting costs, which can run up in the area of $4,500.

Administrator Roxanne Roy informed council there were less than five occasions in the past year where fines were issued.

“I think the message is out there. I think we are probably OK at $1,700,” Reeve Eric Schmalz replied.

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Div. 1 Councillor Michael Grassick seeks clarification on how fines are imposed. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

After further discussion, council decided to recommend a fine of $1,500, which will be subject to a final vote at the municipality’s next meeting in April.

“It’s still steep enough. It’s a big fine,” Schmalz said.

Council also discussed changing the wording of the burning permit policy to reflect fines will apply to people who burn without a permit, but also for people who don’t follow the instructions on the permit.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell