Keep Byward Market Local

To:  Byward Market Improvement Association

LOCAL PRODUCE ONLY ON THE BYWARD MARKET

In 1995 the city of Ottawa put in place a new bylaw prohibiting the sale of imported or bought goods by vendors in the Byward Market. The intention of this new law was keep the area as a pure grower or producers market. This angered dealers who bought and sold, but did not grow, their own produce. These dealers formed a group and hired a lawyer to them in Toronto. The judge ruled in favour of the dealers and the bylaw was struck down enabling the dealers to resume their operations.

A recent survey of consumers indicated that approximately 83% prefer to purchase locally grown or produced goods. Even with this new information the Community and Protective Services Committee of the City of Ottawa, attended by six Aldermen, are proposing to keep the dealer vendors on the market, competing with the local producers.

In order to keep a somewhat level field of competition dealer stand rates have been increased to (get this) $5.11 per square foot. Many businesses on the Market are paying $30-$50 per square foot. This is a joke! These vendors are competing with store keepers whether it is scarves, hats, jewellery, fruit and vegetables etc.

Ottawa City Hall will hold an open meeting on November 20, 2008. The public are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions. Council will make their decision on November 26, 2008.

Let’s keep the Market pure as was mandated by Colonel By in almost a century ago.

Contact the members of the Community and Protective Services Committee of the City of Ottawa and SIGN THE PETITION.


Councillor Georges Bedard
Ward 12 – Rideau-Vanier
p) 613-580-2482
f) 613-580-2522
Georges.Bedard@ottawa.ca

Councillor Michel Bellemare
Ward 11 – Beacon Hill-Cyrville
p) 613-580-2481
f) 613-580-2521
Michel.Bellemare@ottawa.ca

Councillor Rick Chiarelli
Ward 8 – College
p) 613-580-2478
f) 613-580-2518
Rick.Chiarelli@ottawa.ca

Councillor Alex Cullen
Ward 7 – Bay
p) 613-580-2477
f) 613-580-2517
Alex.Cullen@ottawa.ca

Councillor Diane Deans
Ward 10 – Gloucester-Southgate
p) 613-580-2480
f) 613-580-2520
Diane.Deans@ottawa.ca

Councillor Peggy Feltmate
Ward 23 – Kanata South
p) 613-580-2752
f) 613-580-2762
Peggy.Feltmate@ottawa.ca

Councillor Christine Leadman
Ward 15 - Kitchissippi
p) 613-580-2485
f) 613-580-2525
Christine.Leadman@ottawa.ca

Shad Qadri
Ward 6 – Stitsville – Kanata West
p) 613-580-2476
f) 613-580-2516
Shad.Qadri@ottawa.ca

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Keep Byward Market Local Petition to Byward Market Improvement Association was created by and written by John Harding (bywardmarketpetition@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.