Steinbach City Council has given first reading to two bylaws, an updated business license bylaw and a brand-new burning bylaw.

Both of the proposed bylaws were brought to council at a Strategic Priorities Committee meeting on November 30, 2021. Council gave feedback and the revisions were presented at a public council meeting.

Councillor Damian Penner spoke in favour of the burning bylaw.

"The spirit of the bylaw here was not for us as a city to bring in lots of provisions of when people can and cannot burn, where they can, where they can't, it was more so to bring in provisions of safety for neighbouring properties. Also being able to implement a burn ban across the city is something that is very important, that we need to be able to do."

Until now, the City of Steinbach has never had the ability to put an official burn ban in place.

Penner notes the burning bylaw will also help the city clamp down on costs associated with recurring false alarms. He notes these are usually caused by faulty systems that automatically call emergency services.

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