daNew rules proposed for gardening schemes

Urban growers in Montreal have proposed new rules for gardening schemes. Around 30,000 people have signed a petition asking for public hearings and would like to see a change in the rules for urban agriculture.
 
Describing the rewards of growing plants, veteran urban gardener, Shannan Seymour, said: “Meeting a bunch of different people, taking care of your plants, seeing what you’ve done through the year and the reward you get at the end.”

According to a survey, 51% of people in Montreal undertake some form of urban gardening. Some that do not have their own patch of land have even started their own projects, such as rooftop gardening.

Gaelle Janvier, who started a rooftop gardening project, said: “It’s great to grow in the soil and it usually grows the best but a lot of people don’t have access to soil.”

However, those that wish to add animals such as chickens to their gardens may have to wait, as there is currently a ban on animals being kept in farm-like gardens in the city.

“There’s a real public health issue with animals in the city,” said Luc Dorais of Montreal’s Public Consultation Office.