A Lakeshore councillor is calling for tighter legislation when it comes to issuing demolition permits.
Steven Wilder says current provincial rules have several loopholes allowing older properties, which may contain hazardous materials, to be torn down without any precautions or safety inspections.
Wilder says private residences are one of the exemptions under the current legislation.
"Given the proximity of homes where they're built within neighbourhoods and people are knocking down an older structure, I think it is important that proper precautions are taken," he says. "Especially at sensitive places such as public spaces, schools, parks, that they're protected as well because these are innocent bystanders that are exposed to potentially these hazardous materials."
Wilder says nothing can be done at the municipal level which is why he's asking the province to make a change and he is hoping to get some answers.
"We don't have the opportunity to insist upon a hazardous material inspection." says Wilder. "It's a provincial matter. So I'm, more of less, asking the experts to take a look at it to see if they think it's something that should be revisited and potentially tightened up. It certainly seems, on its face, that public spaces are potentially exposed because there are some exemptions to the current legislation."
Wilder has made a motion asking the provincial government to look into the issue. The motion will be sent to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and all municipalities across the province as well.