City to muffle noise

By NUNATSIAQ NEWS

City councillors gave two readings to a bylaw designed to keep Iqaluit quiet from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and create a “quiet zone” around the Baffin Regional Hospital and Elders Centre.

The bylaw says no one will be able to engage in “any activity that unreasonably disturbs the peace or tranquility of a neighbourhood.”

These acitivities include the operation of noisy equipment, vehicles or vehicle with a trailer and horns or other warning devices.

The bylaw will also put the lid on activities or sounds that disturb residential areas, such as setting off fireworks, animals’ barking or whining, “yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, singing or fighting,” loud music, and leaving vehicles running for more than 10 minutes.

Offenders can look forward to a fine of $125 for a first offence and a fine of $200 if they break the bylaw twice within one two-month period.

The bylaw won’t affect city or emergency vehicles or others who get an exemption from Iqaluit’s Chief Administrative officier.

Hunters, some councillors worried, could be affected by the bylaw, but were told the bylaw is mainly intended to curb joyriding and unnecessary or excessive noise.

The bylaw now goes into its third and final reading.

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