By-Law concerning the use of pesticides

The City of Beaconsfield has a by-law regarding the use of pesticides on its territory. Pesticides are harmful products whose use is likely to pose a health risk and lead to contamination of water, air and soil. It is important to take the necessary measures to limit their use. However, when it is essential to use pesticides, it must be done with respect for the health of citizens and the environment.

In Beaconsfield, it is prohibited to use and apply pesticides outside buildings. 

On the other hand, By-Law BEAC-114 adopted unanimously at the June 2017 Council Meeting provides certain exceptions, such as the use of low-impact pesticides.

Authorized products

The use of "low impact" or "reduced risk" pesticides, considered less harmful to the environment, is permitted under the By-Law concerning the use of pesticides. The products authorized by the City are:

• Biopesticides, as designated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)
• Mineral oil
• Azadirachtin 
• Active ingredients authorized under schedule II to the Pesticides Management Code (2003, 135 G.O. II 1653) 

These products are not very harmful to the environment and human health when used properly. It is important to follow the application instructions provided on MSDS and product labels. However, it is better to consider other methods of control before starting pesticide treatment (see the section ecological lawn on the website). 

* Neonicotinoids: Note that since June 2017, it is now strictly prohibited to use pesticides from the Neonicotinoid family on the territory of the City of Beaconsfield. These pesticides have been determined to be toxic to insects, including bees.

Pesticide Contactor Registration 

An annual registration certificate is required for each contractor who applies pesticides within the territory of the City of Beaconsfield. To obtain this certificate, you must complete the required form and provide the following information and documents to our Public Works Department.

You must fill out a request and provide the following information and documents:

• The surname, given name, address, telephone number and email address of the owner of the company.
• A legible photocopy of the Quebec Ministry of the Environment permits held by your company under the Pesticides Act, for each class of pesticide used.
• A legible photocopy of the certificates issued to users at your company holding a certificate of competence by the Quebec Ministry of the Environment under the Pesticides Act.
• Proof of liability and professional insurance of $2,000,000;
• The brans, model, year and copy of the registration certificate of any road vehicle to be used by the pesticide contractor in the territory of the City;
• List of all pesticides including synthetic and low impact pesticides that you currently have in stock or plan to use this year.
• The payment of $50. Payment methods are cash, check or debit card.

For a list of contractors registered with the City, please contact the Public Works Department at 514 428-4500. 

PLEASE REFER TO BY-LAW BEAC-093 CONCERNING THE USE OF PESTICIDES

If we notice contravention to this by-law, statement of offence will be issued immediately. Any infraction is liable to a maximum fine of $4,000. 

Download the Annual Contractor Registration Form (PDF)

Temporary Pesticide Application Permit

In the case of major infestation, a temporary permit may be asked to the City. Please call Public Works at 514 428-4500 and an inspector will go onsite to evaluate the situation. The inspector may issue a permit that will be valid for 10 days from the issue date. Major infestations include the presence of insects, mold or other harmful agents, except for weed, that have spread over 50% of a property or more than 5 m² of a garden's surface. Infestations must be a human safety or health hazard, or pose a threat to the survival of trees and shrubs or animal life. The owner will have to complete the required form and pay the fees mentioned in the Fees Regulations for obtaining the permit.

 A owner who omit to obtain a temporary permit before proceeding with the application of pesticides on his land is liable to a statement of offense.

You can recycle your Christmas tree as of the second week of January. Remove the lights, decorations and garlands and bring it to Public Works at 300, Beaurepaire or a designated park chalet near you.
All natural Christmas trees are accepted. By participating in this collection, your tree will be recycled as wood chips used in city parks and green spaces.

Make sure to recycle packaging papers (except metallic papers and ribbons), in recycling collections.

Participating Park Chalets:

• Beacon Hill, 100 Harwood
• Briarwood, 50 Willowbrook
• Christmas Memorial, 424 Beaconsfield
• Drummond, 200 Beaurepaire
• Heights, 225 Evergreen
• Rockhill, 540 Beaurepaire
• Shannon, 340 Preston
• Windermere, 303 Sherbrooke

WHAT IS GRASSCYCLING AND LEAF MULCHING

It consists of mowing the lawn and leaving clippings where they fall.

Grasscycling?

• Keep grass to about 8 cm, except the first and last cuts, which should be at 5 cm
• Water sparingly, except with new lawns
• Pull out dandelions by hand or cut them before they turn to seed
  
  

Leaf Mulching involves mulching leaves on the property and leaving them on the ground.

How to mulch leaves

• Mow dry leaves, as soon as they begin to fall
• Mow frequently: keep leaves from accumulating and hurting your lawn
• Cut grass to 5 cm the last few times you mow, during the season
• Use a mulching mower if possible

Warning: Do not grasscycle leaves that have tar spots: discard such leaves along with other green residue.

Grasscycling and Leaf Mulching Benefits

Six good reasons!

• The environment: Grass clippings are an important source of methane (CH4), a powerful greenhouse gas. By leaving them on your property, you cut down on transport-related emissions.
• Save on fertilizer: Rotting grass returns nutrients to the soil.
• Moisturize lawn: Grass clippings help keep the ground moist, since grass is 90% water. This cuts down on watering needs and the risk of dryness.
• Hardier lawn: Rotting grass clippings nourish microorganisms that are good for the soil and promote the decomposition of thatch.
• Reduced waste volume: This also reduces pollution generated in landfills.

For you:

• Cuts likelihood of lawn disease and protects ground from dryness.
• Improves lawn quality. Grass clippings left on the ground provide natural fertilizer and water.
• Lets you save on fertilizer and watering. Grass cycling is an excellent way of fertilizing your lawn for free.
• Saves you time collecting and bagging grass and leaves.
  
  

Grasscycling and leaf muclhing myths

• Residue left behind will adversely affect the visual appearance of the lawn.
  Resiudes are not visible on the lawn if mowing is performed in good conditions and the residue is not too long
  
  
• Leaving the residue in place favors the presence of felt (thatch).
  Grasscycling and leaf mulching do not favor the presence of thatch since the residues are quickly broken down by bacteria and fungi in the soil.
  
  
• The residue will end up everywhere in the pool and in the house.
  Residues decompose quickly and disappear within 24 to 48 hours after mowing.
  
  
• The residue left on the ground causes damage to the lawn.
  If you do not cut more than a third of the grass blade at a time, the residue will decompose quickly and the lawn will not suffocate.
  
  

SCHEDULE

From April to November, the collection of organic materials will be offered weekly, as follows. You will be able to send discarded green and food residue off for composting.

• South sector of Highway 20: Mondays as of 7 a.m. 
• North sector of Highway 20: Wednesdays as of 7 a.m. 

From December to March, the collection is offered once a month.

Consult the Collection Calendar for details.

OVERLOOKED BIN OR BAG?

Make sure collection instructions were followed: day and time, bin position, accepted container, container weight, accepted materials, etc. If all instructions were followed, report the situation to Public Works the same evening after 7 p.m. or before 10:30  a.m. the next day.
Requests received after 10:30 a.m. the day following the collection will not be processed.

WHAT IS GREEN RESIDUE?

All organic garden waste, including grass clippings and leaves.

ACCEPTED MATERIALS

Food (Kitchen) Residue (raw, cooked or spoiled) 

• Garden residue (flowers, plants, weeds) 
• Grass clippings and other plants 
• Leaves, twigs, evergreen needles, sawdust, straw 
• Shrub roots and household plants 

• Non-waxed paper plates
• Paper (clean or soiled): tissue paper, paper towels, paper napkins, newspapers, muffin liners 
• Compostable plates, bowls, utensils and toothpicks
• Animal food
• Human or animal hair, feathers
• Cold ashes produced by burning untreated wood 

REFUSED MATERIALS 

• Plastic bags (regular, biodegradable or compostable)
• Recyclable materials
• Household hazardous waste
• Animal feces, used pet litter and pads
• Diapers, incontinence pants, sanitary napkins and tampons, cotton swabs, dental floss
• Fabrics and clothing, shoes
• Dryer lint, dust, wax
• Dead animals (wild or pets)
• Waxed paper or styrofoam
• Wood and ceramic
• Branches
• Cigarette butts
• Chewing gum
• Branches, soil, rocks and sand

IMPORTANT: Blue bins will not be collected during green and food residue collections due to the risk of cross contamination between recyclable materials and traces of organic residue remaining inside the bin. If a recycling load contains contaminated material, the load cannot be recycled.

COLLECTIONS

Consult the Collection Calendar for details.

• Green residue must be placed in cardboard boxes, bins (except the blue bin) or paper bags.
• Neither plastic bags or blue bins, nor branches will be collected.
• Warning! Do not put food residue in paper bags or cardboard boxes.
• Food residue MUST be placed in a bin size 40 litres or more, WITH A COMPLETELY CLOSED LID.
• Green and food residue can be mixed together on condition that it is put in a bin with a lid.
   

To properly manage food residue

• absorbs moisture
• minimizes odours
• contains insects that may be present in the organic matter
• prevents residue from sticking to the surface of the bin
• is useful for freezing residue during the hottest months of the year

Paper bags to use for the collection

Paper bag with paper liner	Paper bag with cellulose liner

Paper bag with compostable liner	Compostable bag	Compostable bag

Division IV.2.1 of the Environment Quality Act establishes rules that promote the protection of lands and their rehabilitation in the event of contamination. Indeed, notices of contamination and of land use restrictions must be registered in the Land register of Québec when the land contains contaminants in a concentration exceeding the regulatory limit values.

In addition, municipalities have the obligation to prepare and maintain a list of contaminated lands situated in its territory, by virtue of article 31.68 of the Environment Quality Act.

Click here to consult the list (PDF available in French only)

Please find below the hyperlink that leads to the Inventory of Contaminated Sites created by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change:

http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/sol/terrains/terrains-contamines/recherche.asp

For additional information, please contact the Department of Registry and Public Affairs: 514 428-4420

Did you know that Beaconsfield has the second largest number of wood burning appliances among all demerged cities in Montreal? Did you also know that wood burning emits pollutants - small particulates and chemicals - into the air? The ill effects of these particulates are numerous and range from headaches, nausea, dizziness and aggravation of angina in people with cardiac problems, through irritation of the eyes and respiratory system, painful inhalation and coughing, with children, the elderly and people with lung disease being especially vulnerable.

Before burning wood this winter, download the weather app WeatherCAN to find out whether there is an advisory in effect. A Quick Link may also be consulted on the City's website under "Info-Smog". Smog advisories often accompany weather forecasts and are also posted on electronic bulletin boards along highways leading to downtown Montreal.

If a smog advisory is in effect, please respect section 9.4 of By-law BEAC-033 as well as the health and well-being of your neighbors by not burning wood, failing which you may be subject to a fine.

In Quebec air pollution is measured and calculated by numerous air quality monitoring stations, among them Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Dorval and Downtown Montreal. The calculations result in what is known as the Air Quality Index (AQI). When the AQI rises over a certain level, smog alerts are issued. Under stable atmospheric conditions (usually with a temperature inversion – i.e. with warm air aloft) and with little wind – stagnant conditions - pollutants become trapped, increasing their concentration near the earth's surface. Therefore, hand-in-hand with meteorological predictions, air quality cannot only be reported, but also predicted.

In Montreal, smoggy days are more frequent in winter than in summer. Almost 90 % of smog episodes were observed during the winter months (December, January, February and March). Much of the sources of smog in summer are transportation and industrial pollution but in winter over 60% of the source can be attributed to wood burning. Therefore, burning wood during smoggy conditions makes an already bad situation worse for sufferers of asthma, emphysema and heart problems.

In 2018, the boroughs of the City of Montreal permanently prohibited the use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. These regulations do not apply to Beaconsfield. Beaconsfield's Construction By-law BEAC-046 allow the use of an existing wood-burning stove or fireplace if it was installed prior to July 7, 2011. It also allows the replacement of existing equipment provided it meets an "EPA" certified emission rate of less than 2.5 grams per hour of fine particles. The regulation also provides that only natural gas, propane and pellet appliances are allowed in new constructions. A permit is required for any replacement or installation of a stove or fireplace.

References

Ministère Développement durable, Environnement, Faune et Parcs

Ville de Montréal - Prévision de la qualité de l'air

Environment Canada - Smog Warning

Ministère Développement durable, Environnement, Faune et Parcs - Wood Heating

Did you know that burning wood emits pollutants - particles and chemicals - into the atmosphere?

Did you know that burning wood emits pollutants - particles and chemicals - into the atmosphere? The harmful health effects of these fine particles are numerous and are felt mostly by children, the elderly, and people who suffer from cardiopulmonary disease.

Wood smoke has been identified by Environment Canada as a source of winter air pollution. Wood burning constitutes a major contributor to winter smog and aggravation of cardiac and respiratory illnesses.

Statistics and facts on wood heating:

• Fine particles are harmful to health because they penetrate deep into the lungs and seep into the bloodstream, affecting the cardiovascular system
• It is estimated that a conventional woodstove or fireplace burning for only 9 hours emits as many fine particles as a car does in one year (18,000 km of driving)
• Residential wood heating is the main source of fine particles in Quebec, ahead of both transportation and industry;
• More than 85,000 homes on the island of Montreal are equipped with a woodstove or fireplace – the majority of which do not comply with current standards.

Wood smoke has been identified by Environment Canada as a significant source of winter air pollution. Burning wood in a conventional fireplace simply to watch the fire may be pleasant, but is polluting. Inefficient wood stoves and fireplaces can be a fire hazard. Dark or smelly smoke drifting from your chimney means wood is not burning completely.

If you wish to replace your fireplace or wood-stove:

• Gas, pellet and electric devices are excellent ecological choices.
• The City of Beaconsfield also allows the replacement of existing wood-burning equipment with wood-burning equipment recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (US Environmental protection Agency, or EPA), provided that the emission rate of the equipment does not exceed 2.5 grams per hour of fine particles in the atmosphere (By-law BEAC-046, article 3.2.5).

Before burning wood, think about the health of your neighbours: the smoke and harmful particles caused by your wood stove can seep into nearby homes.

For more information on this topic, visit the Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques website at environnement.gouv.qc.ca

You can help improve our air quality and health, reduce engine wear, and save fuel and money by turning your engine off when parked.
Breathe easier – vehicle emissions contribute to health problems such as asthma and heart disease.

• Think about the environment – Idling engines create unnecessary air pollution, which contributes to smog and climate change.
• Reduce warm-up idling – in most conditions, start driving your vehicle after no more than 30 seconds of idling. Most cars and trucks are designed to warm up while driving at a moderate speed.
• Turn it off after 10 seconds – turn off your engine if you are stopping for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your engine.

Start saving

• Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel and create more pollution than turning off the engine and restarting it.
• A few seconds of idling are necessary to lubricate engine parts and ensure proper operation, except in cold weather (below – 10 oC).
• Idling produces engine deposits, which cause premature wear.

Changing our habits

• Walk your children to school.
• Give up your remote car starter.
• Walk, bicycle or use public transportation, whenever possible.

Under By-Law BEAC-033 pertaining to nuisance caused by a motor vehicle, unnecessary idling could lead to fines of $50 to $100, for a first offence.

Every day, the average person inhales about 20,000 litres of air. Human activities also release substances into the air, many of which are harmful to us as well as to plants and animals. This air pollution comes in the form of both gases and particles. Examples of gases are sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides – mostly from the burning of fossil fuels, and chemical vapours from many of the products we produce. The exhaust from burning fuels in automobiles, homes (including fireplaces), and industries is also a major source of particles.

Air is also vital for maintaining and transferring heat around the Earth. Human activity produces greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which trap heat in the atmosphere. This excess heat is causing disruptions in many ecosystems and altering the normal patterns of heat movement in the atmosphere. The latter is likely playing a role in much of the severe and erratic weather we have seen in the last several years.

This section provides information on how to reduce the harmful effects on the air that result from our everyday activities.

Directory

Ecocentres

Renaissance Beaconsfield Donation Centre - 42B Saint Charles Blvd. H9W 5Z6 514 426-4765

Accepts used items.

• Musical instruments
• toys, games
• books
• magazines
• computer equipment
• furniture
• decorations
• clothing and accessories

Electronic products should be thought of as a resource for producing other equipment, rather than as garbage. ICT, information and communications technology equipment, is not picked up in normal garbage collections.

Click here to access the drop-off site schedule

Here is the list of materials accepted:

Dry materials

•  Ceramics
• Construction and demolition residues

Wood 

•   Construction and demolition wood
• Treated wood
• Tree branches
• Plywood
• Melamine
• Particleboard
• Tree stumps and trunks
•  Logs
• Roots

Rocks/concrete

• Concrete
• Bricks
• Cement
• Gypsum
• Metal tubs
• Metal chimney
• Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
• Household appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers freezers, stoves) 
• Metal pool filters
• Rims
• Metal pool walls
• Empty paint cans
• Hot water tanks
• Snow blowers (without the gas or oil tank)
• Sheet metal
• Lawnmowers (without the gas or oil tank)
• Pipes
• Other metals

Non-ferrous metals

• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Copper
• Brass
• Lead
• Zinc
• Tires
• Rimless car and motorcycle tires

Materials that are not accepted

• Asphalt
• Shingles 
• Mineral wool
• Rubble
• Plaster residues
• Furniture
• Palettes
• Rocks & Stones
• Sand
• Aggregate
• Crushed stone
• Animal carcasses
• Biomedical waste
• Fireworks, ammunition and illegal substances (drugs, etc.)
• Contaminated soil
• Automobile hulks

The bulk material disposal site located at Public Works is available only to residents with proof of residency. Five free uses per civic address are permitted each year. After that, the following fees apply:

• Car $15 per trip
• Van $40 per trip
• Pick-up truck minimum $40 on estimate
• Dump truck under 5 tons minimum $60 on estimate
• 1 axle trailer minimum $80 on estimate
• 2 axle trailer minimum $100 on estimate

You can recycle your Christmas tree as of  mid-January. Remove all lights and decorations, including tinsel, and leave your tree at Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire or at one of the park chalets listed. Also, remember to include wrapping paper (except for metallic paper and ribbons) with recyclables collected on usual recycling day.

Location of park chalets:

• Beacon Hill, 100 Harwood
• Briarwood, 50 Willowbrook
• Christmas Memorial, 424 Beaconsfield
• Drummond, 200 Beaurepaire
• Heights, 225 Evergreen
• Rockhill, 540 Beaurepaire
• Shannon, 340 Preston
• Windermere, 303 Sherbrooke

How can I get a new blue or black bin?

• For new residents that need recycling containers, please call Public Work at 514428-4500.
• Stolen or missing recycling containers, please call 514 428-4500.
• Damaged or broken recycling containers, please call 514 428-4500.
• Residents must return the broken or damaged container as a proof. [...]

ACCEPTED RECYCLABLE MATERIAL

Fibre:

• Newspapers
• Flyers and magazines
• Paper (even with staples) and envelopes (even with windows)
• Cereal, frozen food, laundry detergent, shoe and other boxes
• Cardboard tubes and rolls
• Egg cartons
• Milk juice cartons and all other rigid, multi-layer packaging, which contained liquids.
• File folders
• Paper bags
• Telephone directories
• Books

Glass:

• Bottles and jars of all shapes and colours (no need to remove labels)

Metal/Aluminium:

• Clean cans, covers and lids, hangers, aluminum plates and foil.

• Always place the rolling container at the curbside.
• The logo on your bin must face the street and the wheels must face your residence.
• Leave at least 60 cm (2 feet) of clearance on each side and at the back of the bin.
• Make sure that no vehicle or object interferes with the mechanical lifting of the rolling bin.
• All recyclable materials must be inside the container. Items outside the bin will not be picked up. Wait for the next collection.
• The lid of the bin must be free of all debris (recyclable materials, snow, etc.).

To find out more about Beaconsfield recycling program, an information leaflet is available at the Public Works office.

Recyclables are collected on Thursdays, except on particular public holidays. Please place your blue bin by the roadside starting at 7 a.m. the day of the collection.

Availability of the rolling bins
The bins are available at Public Works 300 Beaurepaire.

Recycling bins remain the property of the City and must be left behind if you move. In the event of loss or damage, the bin will be replaced by the Public Works Department 514 428-4500.

The City gives compost to residents every spring. Just come to the drop-off site at Public Work’s, 300 Beaurepaire, with a container, a spade and proof of residence.

Date: Starting, Monday, May 8 while supply lasts

Quantity: Up to 250 L per household, the equivalent of a medium garbage bin.

Benefits of Composting:

• Cuts waste more than 40%
• Produces free, natural fertilizer for your garden
• Keeps your soil moist
• Prevents generation of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, in landfill
• Cuts waste hauling costs
• Eliminate greenhouse gas emission caused by haulage

HOME COMPOSTING ASSISTANCE (MASTER COMPOSTERS)

Did you know that the Master Composters are a group of residents committed to help their neighbours incorporate composting as part of their efforts to reduce what they put in the garbage bin? Master Composters are located in each sector of the city, available to provide targeted guidance via email or phone, or even to come to your home if you like. Based on your needs, the Master Composters will help you set up and maintain your composter with a minimum of effort. With the help of a fellow resident’s experience, you will soon see how much less goes into your garbage bin.

Any Beaconsfield resident can sign up for this innovative program just by calling Public Works Composting Help Line at 514 428-4500 or sending an email to compost@beaconsfield.ca. We will give you the name and contact information of your sector’s master composter or shortly after getting your email.
Your Master Composter can answer, by phone or in person, such questions as:

• Where should I put my composter?
• What can I do with my compost?
• What do I do with my grass and leaf clippings?
• All other composting issues!

This initiative is part of the Beaconsfield’s plan to become a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

Do you want to reduce your ecological footprint, to dosomething for the environment? Nothing could be easier!

To encourage home composting, the City is offering residents a free composter. This initiative is but one of the five pillars of Beaconsfield's Waste Reduction Strategy.

To pick up free items, proof of residency is required. Go to the drop-off site behind Public Works,300 Beaurepaire Drive during opening hours.

Questions? Need advice?

For personalized service, contact one of our Master Composters at 514 428-4500 or compost@beaconsfield.ca

In an effort to reduce waste going to landfill and a growing interest in composting, the City of Beaconsfield has trained 26 residents (Master Composters) in composting best practices. The Master Composters will support the community in the implementation and troubleshooting of backyard composting.

This innovative program offers residents the possibility to get support from a Master Composter by calling the Composting « hotline » at Public Works 514 428-4500 or emailing at compost@beaconsfield.ca. The name and contact information of a Master Composter in the requested sector will be provided.

The Master Composter can help either by phone, email or in person with any composting questions such as:

• Where is the best location for my backyard composter?
• What can I do with my compost?
• What should I do with my grass clippings / leaves?
• Any other composting question !

Visit the blog Beaconsfield Composts.

This initiative is part of the City's vision to become a sustainable community through improved environmental responsibility.

Advantages of composting

• Reduce waste by up to 40%.
• Produce a free natural fertilizer for your garden.
• Maintain moisture in your soil.
• Avoid production of methane, a powerful green house gas caused by ground fill.
• Reduce the cost of disposal and transportation lof waste.
• Avoid green house gas produced during transport.

Consult our composting information guide

Do you want to reduce your ecological footprint, to do something for the environment?
Nothing could be easier!

The City of Beaconsfield subsidizes the purchase of composters and other environmentally-friendly equipment for residents. Get a composter for only $30 and a kitchen catcher for $7. Proof of residency is required.

To purchase the equipment:

• Pay for it at the City Hall reception desk, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd. Click here for office hours.
• Pick it up, with your receipt, at the bulk material centre behind Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire. Click here for office hours.

Compost is a natural process through which organic material is converted into a soil-like product or humus. The process works with the help of micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi combined with air and moisture.

Compost is an important way to recycle and can be done at home. It is an easy way to reduce the amount of household garbage by about one third. As well, it produces a valuable soil amendment for use in gardening and landscaping.

PROTECTING OUR TREES

It is prohibited to fell any tree located on private property within the territory of the Beaconsfield without having first obtained a permit for this purpose.

A certificate of authorization can be issued in the following circumstances:

1. the tree is dead or has an irreversible disease;
2. the tree is dangerous to the health or safety of citizens;
3. the tree or the roots cause noticeable damage to the property;
4. the tree impedes new construction or landscaping authorized under the zoning by-law;
5. the tree impedes the growth of other surrounding trees as part of a grove;
6. the tree must be felled to allow execution of municipal works.

Trees contribute to the improvement of the microclimate and air quality, to the reduction of dust, carbon dioxide and urban pollution. The tree planting program favours the planting of trees in p arks, public grounds and roadsides.

As part of its annual plantation program, Beaconsfield offers to its residents the opportunity to request and obtain a tree free of charge, planted fronting their property, on the portion of land belonging to the City. As quantities are limited, we suggest registering your requests for plantation as soon as possible, by calling the Environment Inspector at Public Works at 514 428-4500 or by email at arbres_trees@beaconsfield.ca.

Except for certain proscribed species, the City of Beaconsfield is flexible in the choice of the plantations. A consultation with a city Environment Inspector will help you to make a wise choice for a tree adapted to your residential environment. Planting the good tree at the good place is essential to ensure its good development.

A catalogue with different available tree species is accessible on demand.

For City trees

• Do not attach bikes or other objects, insert nails and refrain from causing wounds in the bark;
• Decorate the base of the trees with landscaping plants to keep the soil humid;
• Report to the City of any disease problem, insects, of any danger or safety of the passers-by;
• Water newly planted trees in order to maintain their fast growth.

For private trees

• Before planting a tree on a property, we recommend to plant it in the right place by taking into account its maturity, the type of soil and preferably, to choose a rustic specimen, which is easy to adapt to our climate;
• For pruning work, check for professionals in the industry or ask your neighbours for a reference;
• Maintain the basins around the newly planted trees and water regularly;
• Make a regular visual tree inspection in order to detect a problem or disease.

Emerald ash borer - Agrilus planipennis (Fairmaire)

Introduction

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, is an invasive insect species that was first found in North America in June 2002. Shortly after the Detroit, Michigan discovery, forest health monitoring staff from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and Canadian Forest Service (CFS) determined the beetle was also present in Windsor, Ontario. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was immediately notified. Surveys conducted in Canada and the U.S. found the beetle was well-established in the Detroit and Windsor areas.

Little information was known about the beetle at the time. Arriving in North America through improperly treated wooden packaging material from Asia, the insect didn’t even have a common English name. Despite substantial research and control efforts, the beetle has continued to spread to new areas. Some of this spread has been natural dispersal, but the long distance spread has been helped by people, especially through the movement of nursery stock or infested firewood from infested areas.

Emerald ash borer is now found throughout much of Essex County and part of Chatham-Kent in Ontario. In Michigan, the beetle is concentrated in the southeastern portion of the state, but has also spread to multiple locations in the Lower Peninsula and as far north as the Mackinac Bridge. Spot infestations have also been found in Ohio and Maryland. Researchers, regulators, and urban foresters are in a race to halt the spread of the insect long enough to develop effective control measures to save native ash trees, an important hardwood species in North America.

The Threat

• The emerald ash borer is able to attack and kill healthy trees.
• All native ash species are at risk.
• Ash trees of all sizes are susceptible to attack, from 5 cm DBH (diameter at breast height) to 90 cm DBH or greater. Larvae have been found in branches as small as 1.1 cm in diameter.
• Ash trees are widespread in Canada and the United States, both in natural and urban settings, and green ash is one of the most commonly planted species in the urban forest.
• Emerald ash borer is very difficult to detect early. When infested trees are found, it’s often 1 year or more after the attack occurred. In addition, there are several other factors affecting ash health which may disguise its presence.
• Estimates show the emerald ash borer has killed several hundred thousand ash trees in Essex County, Ontario, and 8 to 10 million ash trees in southeastern Michigan. Tree loss includes ornamental, rural and woodlot trees.
• If not effectively controlled, the emerald ash borer is expected to spread across the entire range of ash, causing widespread tree mortality.

Adult Recognition

Adult beetles are metallic blue-green, narrow, hairless, elongate, 8.5 to 14.0 mm long and 3.1 to 3.4 mm wide. The head is flat and the vertex is shield-shaped. The eyes are bronze or black and kidney shaped. The prothorax is slightly wider than the head and is transversely rectangular, but is the same width as the anterior margin of the elytra. The posterior margins of the elytra are round and obtuse with small tooth-like projections on the edge.

Mature larvae are 26 to 32 mm long and creamy white. The body is flat and broad shaped. The posterior ends of some segments are bell-shaped. The abdomen is 10-segmented. The 1st 8 segments each have one pair of spiracles and the last segment has one pair of brownish, pincer-like appendages.

Egg Recognition

Eggs are light yellow or cream-colored, turning yellow-brown prior to hatching. They are approximately 1mm long and 0.6 mm in diameter, and are very difficult to spot on the tree.

Larva Recognition

Larvae are slender, cream-coloured, flattened, with a brown head. Mature larvae are 26-32 mm long and have a pair of brown pinchers at the tip.

Pupa Recognition

Pupae are10-14 mm long, cream-coloured, with terminal abdominal segments that curve upwards. Antennae extend to the base of the wings.

Symptoms and Damage

Ash trees in Ontario and much of the north central region of the U.S. have been exhibiting a range of poor tree health conditions, including generalized crown dieback, leaf diseases and drought. Thorough investigation is critical in identifying whether symptoms of ash decline are caused by the emerald ash borer or some other factor.

What to look for:

Tunnels

Tunnels are oriented vertically, shallow, meander under the bark with abrupt turns and are packed with sawdust-like waste. Total length of the tunnels may be 50cm. Galleries are exposed 1-2 years after tree death as bark sloughs off.

Bark cracks

Vertical splits in the bark over larval galleries are often present and are usually 7-10 cm long. The cracks are more noticeable on young or pole-sized trees than on older trees with thick bark where close inspection is required to distinguish the bark splits from normal expansion caused by vigorous growth. Removing the bark will expose the galleries and larvae, if present.

Exit holes

Once fully mature, the adult beetle will emerge through an exit hole it has chewed through the bark. These exit holes are distinctly D-shaped and measure 3.5-4.1 mm across. Exit holes may be found anywhere on the tree trunk, root flare, exposed roots or in the crown. Sawdust may be visible in the exit hole or on the bark just outside it, especially in June and July.

Non-emerged adults

Dead adults are sometimes found in exit holes where the beetle was unable to fully emerge. Frequently, the head of these beetles is absent, leaving behind a hollow exoskeleton, suggesting the beetle was killed by another insect.

Trees

Severely attacked trees may exhibit crown dieback from the top down in the first year of infestation. Often, one-third to one-half of the branches die in one year and the entire tree dies the following year. Foliage may wilt or turn yellow during the growing season. New, or epicormic, branches are common on the trunk of dying trees and dense root sprouts are often present at the base of dead trees or around stumps of cut trees.

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are very good at finding larvae under the bark. Look for increased woodpecker feeding activity in the trees or for signs of their probing of the bark.

What it does:

• The adult beetles will colonize a tree by laying eggs on the bark and in bark crevices on the trunk and branches. The larvae then tunnel beneath the bark and feed on the cambium, a layer of live cells between the bark and the sapwood.
• The larval galleries meander in an S-shaped or serpentine pattern. Eventually, high numbers of larval tunnels girdle the trunk, cutting off the transport of nutrients and water. The tree then starts to die from the top down – foliage on the tree wilts and the canopy may appear sparse.
• Feeding by adult beetles also occurs on the leaves of ash trees, but this feeding damage is minor compared to the larval tunneling.

Life Cycle

• The beetle appears to have a one-year life cycle, but there is evidence that some may take two years to mature.
• Single eggs are laid in bark crevices from late May through July, and hatch in about 20 days. The larvae go through four development stages (instars) as they feed on the phloem and outer sapwood, scoring deeper into the sapwood as they increase in size.
• Larvae feed aggressively until cooler fall temperatures arrive in October or November, and then overwinter in the tree.
• Pupation occurs late April to June. Newly-formed adults remain in their pupal chambers for 8-15 days, then bore through the bark to the outside.
• Adults begin to emerge in mid- to late May, with peak emergence in mid-June. Adults live about one month.
• Adults prefer the sunnier, warmer sides of the trees and are often found resting or flying in the sunlit portions of the crown and are more active on clear days with little wind.
• Mating occurs 7-10 days after emergence, with females mating multiple times. Females average about 70 eggs, but laboratory studies show some may lay as many as 250 eggs.
• The beetles will feign death and drop to the ground when disturbed.
• The adults are capable fliers. Although it’s unknown how far they will fly in the wild, laboratory experiments show they are capable of flying 10 km or more.

Host Species

All ash trees native to North America appear to be susceptible to attack. Anecdotal evidence suggests green ash and red ash appear to be preferred over white ash, followed by blue ash, black ash, or European black ash. There is no clear evidence that these latter species are resistant to attack. Even if green and red ash trees are attacked first, the insect appears to be able to attack and kill the remaining ash species.

Ash is an important species because it grows readily in disturbed habitats where it can be a major component of woodlots, fence rows or shelterbelts. They often grow along stream banks where they provide wildlife habitat, shelter, soil protection, and bank stabilization. Ash species are also important to wildlife because of their seed production which serves as an important food source. Commercially, ash wood is used for flooring, furniture, sports equipment, native baskets and items, tool handles and numerous products requiring strong, hard wood with less rigidity than maple.

How you can Help

• Report signs and symptoms of infested trees to the CFIA by phone 1 800 442-2342 (toll free) or online at www.inspection.gc.ca, or contact the OMNR at 1 800 667-1940 (toll free), or your local municipal parks or forestry department.
• Manage for healthy trees and healthy forests. Follow best management practices for woodlots, and encourage a diversity of tree species.
• Don’t move infested wood material to new areas.
• Firewood should be obtained locally, burned on-site, and not left behind.
• The CFIA program is focused on the leading edge of the infestation to slow its spread. Property owners within the rest of the infested area should watch for signs of infestation and keep trees well-watered and fertilized. Trees dead or dying from emerald ash borer should be cut and burned, chipped. If the appropriate permit is obtained from a CFIA inspector, trees from within an infested area may be properly processed for lumber.

For more information, please consult the website of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

City of Beaconsfield - Resolution concerning the exceptional measures to be taken during the period of application of the Ministerial Order with regard to the areas infested by the Eme-rald Ash Borer and its potential presence on the territory of Beaconsfield.

News Release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, dated May 7, 2013 -  Emerald Ash Borer Regulated Areas Expanded.

Ville de Montréal - Montreal's trees

Natural Resources Canada

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Environmental hazards are responsible for as much as a quarter of the total burden of disease world-wide, and more than one-third of the burden among children. Heading that list are diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, various forms of unintentional injuries and malaria. The disease burden is much higher in the developing world, although in the case of certain non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers, the per capita disease burden is larger in developed countries. Health impacts of environmental hazards run across more than 80 diseases and types of injury. Well-targeted interventions can prevent much of this environmental risk.

To learn more, visit the World Health Organization website: www.who.int

Other resources:

• Environmental Working Group (EWG)
• Beyond Pesticides
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
• EWG SkinDeep Cosmetics Database
• Goodguide.com
• Sandra Steingraber (author)
• West Nile Virus (PDF)    
  
• Health Tips Portail Santé mieux être du Gouvernement du Québec

About residential radon

Radon is a radioactive gas produced naturally by the decay of uranium in the earth's crust. It is present everywhere in the world but its emission and concentration are not uniform. Radon can seep into buildings through cracks and other underground openings.

We invite you to Beaurepaire Village to discover the welcome of its merchants and the quality of their services.

You can enjoy a pleasant stroll on wide sidewalks while doing your shopping along Beaconsfield Boulevard and can relax on the shaded benches provided along the way.

Looking for a computer, sport equipment, a caterer, a broker, or fuel for your car?

You will find all this and more, for a pleasant shopping day.

Village Beaurepaire

Planning is the key to a successful renovation. To help you plan your renovation project, CMHC has information and easy-to-understand tips that can help you assess your requirements and learn the key questions before you get started.

• To learn more, visit CMHC website: cmhc-schl.gc.ca
• Tips for safe renovations: healthyenvironmentforkids.ca

Incentive Programs

Visit Natural resources Canada website: nrcan.gc.ca

Leeds buildings

Consult the following resources:

• Canadian Green building Council: cagbc.org
• US Green Building Council: usgbc.org

Sustainable roofs

Visit National Research Council Canada: nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

The ocean is a vast source of energy that can be harnessed to produce different forms of usable energy. For instance, technologies have been developed to convert the energy of ocean waves and tides into electricity or other useful forms of power. However, a number of technical, economic and environmental barriers remain and, as a result, ocean energy is currently not a widely exploited energy source.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

The kinetic energy in wind can be converted into useful forms of energy such as mechanical energy or electricity. Wind energy has been harnessed for centuries to propel sailing vessels and turn grist mills and water pumps. Today, wind is used increasingly to generate electricity. Turbines with large propellers are erected on ‘wind farms’ located in strategic areas that have good wind regimes and that are in proximity to existing electrical grids. Wind energy is captured only when the wind speed is sufficient to move the turbine blades, but not in high winds when the turbine might be damaged if operated.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Bioenergy comprises different forms of usable energy obtained from materials referred to as biomass. A biomass is a biological material in solid, liquid or gaseous form that has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. Excluded from this definition is organic material that has been transformed over long periods of time by geological processes into substances such as coal or petroleum.

Several types of biomass can be used, with the proper technology and equipment, to produce energy. The most commonly used type of biomass is wood, either round wood or wood waste from industrial activities. Wood and wood waste can be combusted to produce heat used for industrial purposes, for space and water heating, or to produce steam for electricity generation. Through anaerobic digestion, methane can be produced from solid landfill waste or other biomass materials such as sewage, manure and agricultural waste. Sugars can be extracted from agricultural crops and, through distillation, alcohols can be produced for use as transportation fuels. As well, numerous other technologies exist or are being developed to take advantage of other biomass feedstock.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Geothermal energy can be captured from the heat stored beneath the earth’s surface or from the absorbed heat in the atmosphere and oceans. In the first instance, geothermal energy can be captured from naturally occurring underground steam and be used to produce electricity. In the second instance, heating and cooling can be achieved by taking advantage of the temperature differential between outside air and the ground or groundwater.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

To learn more on the installation and maintenance of a geothermal system, download Residential Earth Energy Systems: A Buyer's Guide, published by Natural Resources Canada.

The natural flow of water in rivers offers kinetic power that can be transformed into usable energy. Early usages included mechanical power for transformation activities, such as milling and sawing, and for irrigation. As well, rivers have been used for transportation purposes, such as moving logs from forests to industrial centers.

Currently, hydroelectricity is the major form of usable energy produced from flowing water. To produce hydroelectricity, the water flow is directed at the blades of a turbine, making it spin, which causes an electrical generator connected to the turbine to spin as well and thus generate electricity.

The amount of energy extracted from flowing water depends on the volume of water and its speed. Usually, a hydroelectric station is built at a sharp incline or waterfall to take advantage of the speed gained by the water as a result of gravity. Dams are built at some locations to help regulate the flow of water and, therefore, the electricity generation.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

To learn more about hydroelectricity, visit Hydro-Québec's website.

Renewable energy is energy obtained from natural resources that can be naturally replenished or renewed within a human lifespan, that is, the resource is a sustainable source of energy. Some natural resources, such as moving water, wind and sunshine, are not at risk of depletion from their use for energy production. Biomass, however, is a renewable resource only if its rate of consumption does not exceed its rate of regeneration.

A wide range of energy-producing technologies and equipment have been developed over time to take advantage of these natural resources. As a result, usable energy can be produced in the form of electricity, industrial heat, thermal energy for space and water conditioning, and transportation fuels.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Ventilation allows you to keep the interior of your home comfortable and maintain good indoor air quality. It also contributes to the health of the home’s occupants.

What does ventilation allow for?
Ventilation consists mainly of regularly expelling to the outside the odours, excess humidity and pollutants contained in the ambient air of the house. It also draws in fresh air from the outside to constantly refresh the air you breathe indoors. Opening windows is not enough to ensure proper ventilation of your home. In the winter, only mechanical ventilation will work.

What are the possible problems of inadequate ventilation?
Inadequate ventilation generates excess humidity that causes condensation in the windows, premature deterioration of the house and the proliferation of mold.

If there is inadequate or faulty ventilation, there is a risk of increased concentration of chemical and biological contaminants contained in the air. For example, doing extensive repair work or home projects, stripping paint from furniture and using gas-fired equipment are all sources of pollution for the ambient air. Proper ventilation is necessary to keep indoor air free of such pollutants.

Excessive, poorly balanced ventilation or a ventilation system that is poorly maintained often causes discomfort, dries the ambient air in winter and wastes energy.

Another means of coping with contaminated indoor air is to dilute the pollutants with intakes of fresh air. The best solution, of course, is to limit the sources of indoor pollutants. Storage of paints and cleaning products is usually an easily avoidable source of contamination.

What are the points to consider when choosing ventilation equipment?

• Determine the necessary air flows and select equipment capable of providing an air renewal rate that is sufficient, not excessive.
• Measure the air flows and have a specialist balance air flow when the equipment is installed.
• If possible, opt for a heat recovery unit, as it will help keep your home heating bill at an acceptable level.
• Make sure that the unit and the ducts are accessible at all times to facilitate maintenance and regular cleaning.
• Use rigid conduits for easy cleaning, and maintain all components in good condition.
• Have the air tightness of your home evaluated by an expert before buying or installing a ventilation system.

What does the installation of a ventilation system entail?
The installation of a ventilation system is a necessity for almost all homes. In order for the system to be adapted to the particular conditions and needs of each house, it must be designed by ventilation professional in accordance with the 1995 National Building Code of Canada or higher standards.

The ventilation system can be simple (a central air circulator) or more elaborate (a layout of several ventilators and conduits), depending on need.

Bathrooms should be equipped with an exhaust fan and kitchen stoves or ranges with an exhaust hood to expel smoke directly outside. Living rooms, bedrooms and regularly used closed rooms should have grilles for fresh air intake.

Mechanical ventilation of your new home
Modern homes are airtight, which increases comfort level and reduces energy costs. Nonetheless, various factors that affect indoor air quality also threaten the health of its occupants. In building airtight houses, construction includes a number of composite materials, which are assembled by means of adhesives that can contain toxic substances, such as the particle board used to build kitchen cabinets and children’s furniture, not to mention the carpeting that covers most bedrooms.

The most important provision of the National Building Code concerns mechanical ventilation of new homes. In addition to the obligation to install a system capable of replacing the total volume of air in the house once every 3 hours, fresh air must also be delivered into each room of the living quarters by means of conduits. Rigid conduits provide better performance, and are also easy to clean and balance. Installation of a heat recovery unit is suggested for reasons of comfort and energy efficiency. If the house has a fuel-burning unit such as a fireplace or an oil-fired furnace, the system must be equipped with a ventilation opening for so-called makeup air. Installing a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is strongly recommended.

If makeup air enters only by infiltrations in the envelope, it is possible that the pollutants in the building materials that make up the envelope could contaminate the indoor air. The drainage system could also contribute to indoor air pollution by allowing radon to infiltrate the living quarters.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

Given the vast selection of lighting fixtures available on the market, it is essential to determine your needs before making your choice, for both indoor and outdoor lighting. Whether you’re looking for direct or diffuse lighting, a reading lamp or a particular lighting ambience, choose the best ratio of energy consumed to brightness provided.

Heating accounts for roughly two-thirds of your household energy consumption. Since your thermostat regulates the temperature in your home, it should be perfectly adapted to your heating system. The thermostat allows you to save a considerable amount of money while improving the comfort of your home. The quality of a thermostat lies in its precision. The secret is to start up the heating system before the ambient air gets too cold, and to stop it before it gets too warm.

Here are some tips on lighting and thermostat use to help reduce your energy consumption.

Buy lamps that provide maximum light
Do you prefer lampshades in pale colours, or adjustable lamp reflectors? Either way, you should choose a bulb that produces the most lumens (measurement of light) and consumes the fewest watts as possible. Contrary to popular belief, the number of watts (40, 60, 100, etc.) is not an expression of the quantity of light emitted. A 40-watt light bulb will always consume 40 watts of electricity, regardless of the quantity of light produced.

Bring on the fluorescent lights!
If they are suitable for your lighting needs, fluorescent lamps are the most energy efficient choice available. To produce the same quantity of lumens, they consume less energy than any other type of bulbs. They are perfectly suited for lamps that stay switched on for long periods of time.

Leave lights on only when necessary
It is pointless and costly to leave lights on all night long. Program a few inside lamps on a programmable timer that switches on and off at pre-set times. For outside lamps, install a lamp equipped with a motion detector.

Install electronic dimmers
By using a light dimmer, you reduce your energy consumption and extend the life of your light bulbs. Depending on the decrease in intensity, you can save from 5 to 50% in energy costs.

Replace old mechanical thermostats
Because they are less sensitive to changes in the ambient temperature, mechanical thermostats fluctuate, varying by 2 to 5°C from the desired temperature. The precision of electronic thermostats procures a constant temperature and greater comfort, and can save you up to 10% in heating costs.

Lower the temperature
In lowering the temperature by 3°C during the night, you can save up to 6% in heating costs. Don’t lower it by more than three degrees, because the time it takes for the heating system to re-establish a comfortable temperature will cancel part of the gains made.

Choose a programmable or electronic thermostat
We often tend to forget to raise or lower the temperature at the appropriate moment. Programmable thermostats can do the job for us. Simply enter your desired temperature settings and the thermostat takes care of the rest. There are also some very simple electronic thermostats that have only two buttons. Although they are not programmable, they offer the same precision as the more elaborate models.

Select a thermostat adapted to your lifestyle
If your weekday living habits change on the weekend, opt for a more sophisticated programmable thermostat. So-called 5-2 models offer a lower temperature schedule from Monday to Friday, and a second option for the weekend. Some thermostats offer 5-1-1 programming that allows you to set separate programs for Saturday and for Sunday. Others allow you to set a different program for each day of the week.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

Big or small, your household appliances consume a lot of energy. On average, your big appliances consume 20% of the total energy used in your residence. The refrigerator is the biggest energy guzzler, followed by the freezer, the washing machine (if it uses hot water), the dryer, the dishwasher and the stove. Even though their energy consumption is constantly improving, substantial energy savings can still be made if your choose appliances whose power and size correspond to your needs, and if you make optimum use of these appliances.

Smaller appliances provide substantial savings in energy consumption, while extending the life of your big appliances. Consequently, when you have a choice of using one or the other, opt for the smaller one. Whether it is a microwave oven, a toaster oven, a crock pot, a tea kettle, a coffee maker or an electric skillet, don’t be afraid to use them as often as you can.

Look for the ENERGY STAR® Label
When shopping for a large household appliance, the international ENERGY STAR® label is a symbol of energy efficiency at its best. Products bearing the ENERGY STAR® label will help reduce your energy and operating costs by 30 to 50%. You’ll also be helping the environment. For a refrigerator, you can save upwards of $80 per year. For more information, visit the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada.

Give your fridge a breather
If your refrigerator is next to your stove, dishwasher or a sunny window, it has to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. Regular cleaning of the cooling coil underneath or in the back of the fridge helps maintain good performance and can save up to 12% in energy consumption.

Do you really need a freezer?
A freezer is almost as much of an energy guzzler as a fridge. If you’re not the sort to stock up on provisions, then the freezer compartment of your fridge should fulfil your needs. If you want to buy a freezer, keep in mind that horizontal or chest freezers consume less energy than vertical or standing freezers. The rule of thumb to determine what you need in a freezer is half a cubic foot per person in the home.

Microwave rather than convection oven
By using a microwave rather than the oven in your stove when cooking small quantities of food, you’ll save energy because a microwave oven consumes five times less energy. Keep in mind that it must be airtight, with nothing preventing the free circulation of air around the appliance.

Discover the benefits of the electric skillet
By using an electric skillet rather than the burners on your kitchen stove, you have more control over the cooking temperature and you consume less energy to obtain the same results.

Use a toaster oven, a tea kettle and a crock pot
For the same cooking time, a toaster oven consumes two times less energy than the oven in your stove. Compared to the burner on your stove, an electric tea kettle can use 40 to 70% less energy, while an electric crock pot uses up to 80% less energy!

A coffee maker adapted to your needs
By selecting an appropriate size coffee maker, you avoid wasting both energy and coffee, while ensuring that you’ll always have hot, fresh coffee on hand.

Start the dishwasher only when it’s full
Approximately 85% of the energy consumed by a dishwasher is used to heat up the water. You should rinse your dishes in cold water, wait until the machine is full of dishes before using it, use the short cycle option and let the dishes dry by opening the door rather than using the hot air drying cycle.

Wash in cold water
By washing your clothes in cold water, you’ll save about $50 a year. Replacing a conventional washing machine with a front-loading model allows for significant savings of energy and drinking water.

Use the spin cycle twice
By using the spin cycle twice, you remove more water from the wet clothing. Your dryer then won’t have to work so hard to dry your clothes. Clean the lint filter frequently, and make sure that the exhaust duct and outside vent are not obstructed. On sunny days, hang your clothes outside to dry.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

There are many ways to improve the energy efficiency of the doors and windows in your residence and thus reduce your heating costs.

Inspect your window frames
Contrary to what you might think, the frame of a window is as important as the glass or glazing. If the joint between the frame and the structure is not airtight and watertight, it can be easily rectified. Place fibreglass insulation loosely between two beads of slightly compressed ethafoam. Minimal expansion urethane sealant will also do the trick.

Make your windows leak-proof
If your windows perform poorly, make them airtight and waterproof. For sash windows, add tubular or V-shape weather stripping. If you use storm windows doubled onto regular windows, install them early in the heating season.

Replace your windows only if the frames are in bad repair or if it is impossible to make them airtight. Sealed windows (double glazed) that have traces of moisture between the two panes of glass have lost their initial sealing. Rather than changing the entire window, simply replace the glass with high-energy efficiency glass which will cost much less.

Apply transparent film to your windows
If there are some windows you don’t need to open during the winter, installing a transparent plastic sealing film with a portable hair dryer will make your windows much more airtight.

Install weather stripping to block cold air drafts
It is important to keep all doors that lead to the outside and also those that open onto unheated rooms in good repair. Properly installed weather stripping blocks drafts. Before installing the strips, tighten all the screws in the door hinges. If correctly installed, the door will close easily and tightly, compressing the weather stripping with no need to shut with force. Never paint weather stripping, or it will lose its elasticity. For the doorsill or threshold, install a door sweep weather strip either on the threshold or on the door itself. For letter slots, install a storm flap and locking covers.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

Serious problems of dampness and moisture are often accompanied by unpleasant odours. Before deciding to ventilate in the winter or to install a dehumidifier in the summer, try to locate the source of the problem.

What are the indoor sources of humidity?
During the summer, humidity can be the result of condensation that occurs when warm, humid air comes into contact with cold basement walls. If your cold water taps seep with moisture after you use them, it is possible that the lower part of the foundation walls are experiencing the same phenomenon. A poor quality or badly installed vapour barrier will allow the water vapour contained in the warm air to travel through the walls via the electrical boxes or window frames.

If the concrete underneath the wood or carpeting has not been protected by a damp proof membrane, the origin of the odour is usually rotting wood or damp carpeting.

What are the outdoor sources of humidity?
Water infiltrating through cracks can also be the cause of such a problem. Ground that slopes down toward the basement rather than away from it, or rain gutters that empty into a tile drain or a drain that is blocked by leaves might also be the source. Other potential causes are window edges that have become blocked with organic deposits, or a perimeter drain that is clogged with sand or tree roots. Damp ground is more subject to frost, which can cause cracks in the concrete walls.

What temporary measures can I take to disperse the humidity?
Heating your home will help reduce problems of humidity. Once it is warmed up, however, the ambient air may still contain a substantial amount of moisture. As soon as the temperature drops back down, the humidity condenses on cold surfaces and the cycle begins again, adding even more water to porous materials.

While waiting to determine the specific source of the problem and to proceed with corrective measures, clean any mold or black stains with a solution of 1 part bleach and 3 parts water. The solution should stay in contact with the mold or stain for at least 20 minutes. Wear a mask and gloves when performing this task.

If the exterior relative humidity exceeds 70% during the summer, you should use a dehumidifier. Bringing that outdoor air into your home would have the effect of increasing the relative humidity of the basement. During the winter, you can ventilate by opening two windows for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the outdoor temperature.

What are permanent means of eliminating humidity?
Once preventive measures have been taken and the sources of humidity definitely determined, corrective measures must be taken. Hire a specialist if this involves major renovation work.

A perimeter drain can be unblocked using special equipment. If that approach doesn’t work, the ground around the foundations will have to be dug up and the drainage system replaced. Once the foundation walls have been exposed, insulate them from the outside, especially in the case of concrete block or stone foundations.

The largest cracks in a concrete wall are usually repaired working from the outside, although some specialists guarantee repairs of medium-sized cracks done from the inside.

Source: Energy Transition

Insulating the foundations and insulating the roof of your home will help it withstand extremes of cold or heat while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature, thereby avoiding exorbitant energy bills. Without adequate insulation, your home risks losing a substantial amount of its heat as follows:

• 17% through the above-ground walls;
• 15% through the underground walls and the foundation footings;
• 11% through the roof.

Poor insulation is also responsible for cold floors and walls, condensation at the wall base and the proliferation of mold. Insulating your home can make a big difference.

Procedures & Materials
There are various types of insulating materials: rigid foam panels, fibreglass batts, loose cellulose fibre, injected and foam insulation. To be effective, the insulating material should:

• uniformly fill the space to be insulated;
• be resistant to heat transfer;
• be long-lasting;
• resist humidity (in certain cases).

Its thermal resistance or R factor (RSI, in the metric system) indicates an insulating material’s performance. The higher the R or RSI value, the more resistant it is to heat transfer and the better it is as insulation. Nevertheless, regardless of the material chosen, its installation must be faultless, for its thermal resistance depends on it being properly installed. When selecting an insulating material, the first consideration is what use it is destined for, rather than its thermal resistance (R) or cost. For example, certain materials are not suitable for insulating a basement but are perfect for insulating the attic.

Is your house well insulated?
Do you have plans for construction or renovation projects? Here are a few important things to consider when carrying out the work:

• Insulating your house from the basement to the attic will not only eliminate the problems of cold floors, condensation and mold, but will also reduce your heating costs.
• Pay special attention to structural components during any construction or renovation project.
• Install the insulation in continuous, seamless fashion on the surface of studs supporting the exterior walls, and the floor joists of overhanging beams.

Insulation that has been well planned and installed in your construction or renovation project will make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy consumption.

How should I insulate a concrete basement wall?

Insulating from the inside

Insulating or adding to the existing insulation of a foundation wall from the inside increases the risk of freezing. If the ground is damp and the foundations are close to the frost line, it is best to keep the foundation footings warm by leaving a space at the base of the wall that is not insulated.

Check for any cracks that might be the source of water infiltrating from the outside. The humidity caused by condensation during the summer is apparent in black stains at the base of the wall, while water infiltration from the outside is apparent in deposits of mineral salts on the wall.

The thermal resistance of a foundation wall should be between R-10 and R-15. Use water repellent insulation. The best material is styroplastic foam (Type 3 or 4), but it must be covered with a fireguard as quickly as possible. Mineral wool or fibreglass batts give good results as long as the insulation is protected with a damp-proofing membrane.

Insulating from the outside

If the perimeter drain needs to be repaired, take advantage of the occasion to insulate the foundations from the outside. Stone and concrete block foundations must be insulated from the outside.

After excavating the foundations down to the footings, use rigid foam board insulation (Type 4) that is at least 50 mm (2 in.) thick and extend it to the full height of the wall and on top of the footing. The insulation must be protected from the rays of the sun. Use a water repellent membrane and premium granular backfill to keep the foundations dry. In terms of comfort, as long as you remove the inside insulation, the thermal mass created by the concrete is equivalent to that of an old hot water system.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

Approximately 60% of household energy expenditures go towards heating, representing more than $1,000 on average per residence. It is however possible to improve the energy efficiency of your heating system at low cost, regardless of the energy source.

Here a few simple things that can help improve the efficiency of your heating system.

Close the curtains at night and open them during the day
In wintertime, open your curtains during the day so that the sun can warm up your house. As soon as night falls, close them to cut down on heat loss.

Remove the dust from your warm-air heating system
Dust is the enemy of warm-air heating systems. Clean the air filters and the air intakes and outlets. Clean the inside of the unit with a vacuum cleaner. After a few years of use, clean the fan so that no dust impedes the movement of warm air throughout the house.

Watch for rust and bleed your radiators
When you notice rust on the pipes or on the furnace or boiler, contact your service technician, as such oxidation can lead to leaks. Don’t forget to bleed the air out of the radiators at the start of the heating season.

Keep an eye on the flame in your oil burner
From time to time, look through the inspection window to check the flame in your oil-burning furnace. Note whether it is burning well, and make sure there is no soot build-up. The flame should burn bright yellow and emit no smoke. If that is not the case, call in a specialist for a tune-up. He will conduct a combustion test and analyse the furnace’s performance before adjusting the burner. You’ll save on fuel and also reduce your carbon footprint. You might also have to upgrade your heating unit.

Clean your direct-fired heating system
If you clean your oil or gas heating system immediately after the heating season, the accumulated sediment is easier to dislodge than when time and humidity make it sticky and hard to remove. Leave burner adjustments to a specialist.

Assess your heating needs
If you want to change your heating system, make sure that the furnace installer doesn’t just simply replace the existing unit with a system of the same capacity, for equipment that is over 25 years old is often twice as big as today’s more efficient models. The heating load for your house should determine the type of unit required. To compare the performance of heating units, check the EnerGuide Label that lists seasonal performance.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

Energy plays a role in our environment, our economy and our everyday lives. It is no surprise then, that we must consider this topic when discussing sustainable communities. By making certain choices on a small scale, our citizens and communities can contribute towards creating a positive, long-lasting change on a grander scale. Many of these choices involve energy efficiency. There are two main points to consider when discussing energy efficiency: habits and products.

Firstly, the manner in which you interact with your energy-consuming products greatly affects the overall energy efficiency of your lifestyle. Behaviors such as leaving your lights on all night or having your computer screen on maximum brightness contribute towards your energy consumption. Creating and maintaining energy-efficient habits can save you a good amount of money, while contributing to creating a more sustainable community.

Secondly, your choice in energy-consuming products has a very significant impact on your energy consumption. By switching to more energy efficient products, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs or by choosing high-grade insulation for your new home, you can enjoy a better lifestyle while saving money on your energy bill.

In energy efficiency, every little thing counts!

Energy has played an integral role in the development of our civilization as well as life in general; as far back as we can tell. As our knowledge on the topic of energy grew and discoveries were made, we eventually developed techniques that allowed us to control the flow of energy in controlled systems. Today, you can flood a room with light, with the simple flick of a switch. Energy consumption has become such an essential part of our everyday lives that most people forget that we depend upon it.

Consider where your energy is coming from. Approximately 86% of the world’s energy is based on fossil fuels. You can help reduce global carbon emissions and make a positive contribution in the fight against global climate change by being more energy efficient. Here is an example of how simple changes can lead to large-scale repercussions: If every household in Canada changed just one traditional incandescent light bulb to an ENERGY STAR labelled CFL, the country would save over $73 million in energy costs every year and reduce GHG emissions by 397,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) - which would have the same impact on climate change as taking 66,000 cars off the road for one year…

Founded by the Conseil régional de l’environment of Montreal, the project consists of patrollers who raise awareness on issues concerning the environment in and around the city. The patrollers are full time Cegep or University students who are hired by a local ‘Eco-Quartier’ or local organization, during the summer.

The Green Patrol’s objective was to inform and sensitize citizens about better environmental practices and habits, especially involving the management of hazardous waste, climate change, and ecological gardening by way of different activities (door-to-door, kiosks, day camps and other events).

White grubs are the larvae of certain beetles, such as June beetles and chafers. Grubs are one of the most difficult lawn pests to deal with.

Grubs are white or yellowish and have fleshy, wrinkled, C-shaped bodies with tan or brown heads and six spiny legs. They are quite small upon hatching, but at maturity are from 2 to 4 cm (3/4 to 1 1/2 inches), depending on the species.

The most common white grubs infesting turf in Canada are those of the native June beetle or Junebug. Two smaller exotic species, the European chafer and the Japanese beetle have been accidentally introduced into Canada and are found primarily in the Niagara peninsula. The European chafer however, has recently migrated further north and east, and is responsible for much of the lawn damage in recent years in eastern Ontario.

June beetle adults are shiny reddish brown, up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) long. The adult European Chafer is light brown or tan and is about 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) long. The adult Japanese beetle is metallic green and bronze, about 1 cm (less than 0.5 inch) long.
Signs of grub infestation

Grubs feed on the roots of many plants, but prefer the fibrous roots of lawn grass. As the roots are destroyed, turf will wilt and turn brown. They also feed on potatoes and carrots in the garden. They cut the main stems or roots of plants below the soil surface, and tunnel into tubers and freshly rooted plants. Affected areas will feel soft and spongy to walk on, and turf in these spots can be lifted up with ease. Carefully fold back the turf and observe the number of grubs exposed. Damage is most severe in the spring and fall when moisture levels in the soil are high. During drier periods, the eggs may be killed and surviving larvae can be found deeper in the soil. Extremely dry summers destroy many eggs, and newly hatched grubs. Mature grubs can be found near the surface in late summer and early fall.

Often skunks and other small mammals will pull back the turf to feed on grubs in the spring or fall. This secondary damage to your lawn, as well as flocks of starlings and blackbirds feeding on the lawn, are signs of a grub infestation. If you have any of these natural predators digging at your grass, check for white grubs. Many people notice these indicators first.

Lawn care

Cultural practices are the best way to ensure the health of your lawn before any problems occur. If you can, dig or till your land one year before you seed it or lay sod. Remove old plants and weeds, rake/thatch your lawn or cultivate the soil thoroughly to expose any grubs to their predators and the weather, to reduce populations.

Healthy, vigorously growing lawns can tolerate more grub feeding than stressed lawns because damage to one root is compensated for by others. Adequate leaf tissue also provides nutrients and energy to repair root damage. Remove excessive thatch, and aerate compacted soil areas to ensure proper drainage. A mechanized soil aerator with spikes or spiked sandals can also help kill some of the grubs.

Beetles prefer to lay eggs in closely cropped lawns, so raise your summer mowing height to 6 to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 inches). Leave lawn clippings after mowing, because their slow release of nitrogen favours the decomposition of thatch by microorganisms. Use fertilizer with high potassium and adequate nitrogen.

If you detect grubs during the warm, dry periods of the growing season, irrigate and fertilize your lawn to maintain the turf vigour and to compensate for the root feeding damage. Apply a top dressing of sand and manure and overseed with grass. Deep, infrequent irrigation encourages deep-rooted drought-tolerant lawns. Water no more than once per week, and water until at least 2 cm (1 inch) of water collects in a container placed on your lawn or for about one hour.

Population control

You can hand pick adult beetles or vacuum them using a small vacuum with a disposable bag. You can also shake beetles from plants and collect them in a cloth, placed directly below the plant. For best results, collect the beetles early in the morning when they are still sluggish. Immersing beetles in soapy water can kill them.

Predators

Beneficial predatory insects such as ants prey on the eggs of Junebugs. Certain parasitic wasps and flies help keep host Junebug or Japanese beetle populations in check. Some of these are specific to a single host, but others will control several pests in an area. Bird houses attract natural predators (starlings, blackbirds), that feed on white grubs.

Resistant varieties of plants
Choose resistant varieties of plants. If reseeding or establishing a lawn, use grasses containing an endophytic fungus such as fescues and ryegrasses. This type of fungus repels the grubs. Companion plants such as larkspur and geranium are toxic to grubs.
For all three grub species, apply a treatment just after the larvae have hatched, in mid- to late-August or in mid-September, when the turf is moist.

Source: Health Canada

Leaf mulching involves shredding leaves with a lawnmower and using them as mulch on your gardens and lawn. Mulching leaves directly back into the turf has proven to be a cost and time effective means of leaf disposal and does not negatively impact turf performance.

View the video produced by the Beaconsfield Environmental Advisory Committee to learn more.

Ecological Lawn Care Tips

Spring

• Avoid working on a wet lawn.
• Spread lime on the lawn.
• Sharpen the lawnmower blade each spring.
• Raise the lawnmower blade to at least 7.5 cm (three inches).
• Rake in the late spring to remove debris and brown patches.
• Remove weeds by hand
• Aerate the lawn.

Summer

• Deep infrequent watering promotes deep strong roots. Watering too often may cause disease by starving the soil of oxygen.
• Grass naturally protects itself from periods of drought by becoming dormant, and can survive several weeks in this state. It will simply regain its normal colour once the humid weather returns.
• Some experts say lawns don’t need watering at all in our region. If you feel you must water your lawn, please water deeply and infrequently.
• During a dry period, avoid fertilizing and mowing your lawn.

Fall

• Aerate the lawn.
• Overseed the lawn with a mix that is high in bluegrass and fescue grass seed. Apply 10 pounds per thousand square foot (4.5 kg per 92.9 sq-m) and spread as evenly as possible. Lightly rake the lawn to help the seeds settle down.
• Top dressing: In early fall, top dress the lawn with a thin layer of compost or good garden soil, and add grass seed to take care of any thinned-out areas.
• Fertilizing: Clippings left on the lawn are rich in nitrogen and provide easy and free fertilization. Fertilizing in early fall promotes vigorous lawn growth the next spring. Use the fallen autumn leaves as natural fertilizer for next year’s garden.

Biological diversity - or biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. The biodiversity we see today is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural  processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. It forms the web of life of which we are an integral part and upon which we so fully depend.

Source: Convention on Biological Diversity cbd.int

Useful links

Morgan Arboretum
morganarboretum.org

Birding Montreal
birdingmontreal.squirrelworks.ca

Network of large parks
ville.montreal.qc.ca

Nature Conservancy
natureconservancy.ca

This committee is formed to develop and propose strategies which address Beaconsfield's vision of becoming a sustainable community through improved environmental responsibility.

The citizen members of the BEAC have a wide range of expertise and backgrounds to meet the demands of this important mandate. After much discussion the BEAC has decided to focus its energies in the first part of its mandate on the following: Creating a local action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; Reducing garbage (certain provincial restrictions are forthcoming which our municipality will have to abide by) while increasing recycling and reusing; Exploring alternative energy sources for our municipality to reduce costs and GHG emissions; Develop an education campaign to support these goals, in our schools, commerce and homes; and finally establish itself as a credible advisory body to the council on issues and decisions which have an environmental impact on our community.

Drinking Water Conservation Kit

Water is essential to our daily lives. It is required to grow our crops and sustain life, not to mention the host of everyday activities we have come to depend upon. With an ever increasing population our demands are already straining existing municipal filtration plants and delivery systems.

Even though water is considered a renewable resource, humans are consuming it faster than it can naturally be replenished. We, as consumers, need to focus on changing our water habits to ensure that future generations will have water to survive.

Each household has the ability to reduce their present water consumption by at least 10-40% without any major changes to lifestyle.

Did you know?

• One dripping faucet can waste up to 10 000 litres of water in a year. Often these leaks can be fixed for under $10.
• A leaking toilet wastes 100,000L/yr. enough to fill a swimming pool.
• Other common causes of water waste at home are faulty plumbing, and over-use when watering the lawn and washing the car.

Learn more:

• By-Law 640 and amendments, simply click here
• By-Law BEAC-070 on the use of drinking water, simply click here

Watch Le cycle de l'eau, a video produced by the City of Montreal Water Department.  You will discover the extent and complexity of Montreal's impressive underground.

Le cycle de l'eau

Drinking Water Quality

Since 2013, the City of Montreal has been sampling water at approximately 10 addresses on our territory on a yearly basis to test for the presence of lead. To date, no property in Beaconsfield exceeds Ministère de l’Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC)  standards. This is a responsibility of the Agglomeration of Montreal. You can also consult the most recent report on water quality in Beaconsfield on the Ville de Montréal website. Click here

This annual water sampling campaign meets the requirements of the MELCC under the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water in Quebec.

For more information, you can consult the following links:

• Visit the MELCC website
• Visit the Santé Montréal website
• Consult the information sheet on the topic available in French only on the MELCC website
• Visit the Ville de Montréal website

Regarding lead which can come from your service entrance or from internal piping and fittings, we invite you to contact a plumber in order to carry out the required verifications.

Following the 2021 sampling campaign in Beaconsfield, one address registered as having an amount of lead exceeding the regulatory standard. Thus, and in accordance with Section 36.2 of the provincial Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water, the City of Beaconsfield must establish an action plan including a description of the measures it intends to take to remedy the situation as well as a detailed schedule of these measures. It can be consulted here.

If you wish to have your water sampled, you can contact an accredited laboratory for an analysis of lead in drinking water. However, you will have to bear the costs. The list of laboratories accredited by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux is available in the MELCC information sheet.

Water Quality

To know all about the quality of the water the Pointe-Claire Water Treatment Plant produces and distributes on our network, including the latest results of quality control and statistics on the quantity of water distributed, visit Pointe-Claire Water Treatment Plan

The exterior use of water is permitted as follows:

• Manual watering of vegetation using a hose fitted with an automatic shut-off device is permitted at all times.
• The watering of a new lawn, newly planted trees or shrubs and new landscaping is permitted at any time of day for 15 days following the start of the work.
• The watering of lawns and other plantings is permitted only from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. if the water is distributed by automatic sprinkler systems, and only from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. if the water is distributed by oscillating water sprinklers:
  • NORTH of autoroute 20 – Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday
  • SOUTH of autoroute 20 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday

These watering schedules were implemented to reduce water consumption and to minimize waste. Indeed, the capacity of water production plants to produce drinking water must be equal or greater than the maximum demand. By respecting the water restrictions, you will help the City reduce expenses for the maintenance, repair, and upgrade of the water supply network, which in turn saves money for all of us.

For more information, see By-Law BEAC-070 or consult our watering restrictions leaflet.

Strategies to reduce watering needs:

• Less frequent but longer watering (about once a week) encourages the deepening of roots and helps them grow stronger.
• Practise grasscycling and mulching (leaving mowed grass clippings and fallen leaves on the lawn) to reduce water evaporation from the soil.
• Make sure to water as close to the ground as possible and not on the leaves.
• Clean patios, terraces, driveways, and roads by sweeping them with a broom instead of spraying them with water.

Other ways you can help us protect our greatest natural resource:

• Use a rain barrel to water your garden ($40 at Public Works).
• Do not let water from your hose run unnecessarily onto the street or onto neighbouring properties.
• Wash your car using a bucket or a hose fitted with an automatic shut-off device.
• Maintain your house plumbing in good working condition.

Every year, a firm under contract to the City will take the reading of your water meter in September. Residences are charged for annual water consumption in addition to an annual base fee. If you are moving, please notify us by calling 514 428-4400.

Click on the following link to learn about the cost of water consumption (PDF)

Beaconsfield's sanitary drain network was never built to handle storm water drainage and it is strictly forbidden and illegal to connect your sump pump to the sanitary sewer. This is against the plumbing code and will lead to penalties and legal action.

The rain barrel is the ideal solution to give your plants water of great quality throughout the whole summer while protecting the environment!  Each summer on the island of Montreal, gardening is responsible for 30% of the demands in potable water.  This increase in the demand puts a stress on potable water reserves, on the ecosystem and water filtration expenses.  So all the reasons are good to prevent the unnecessary waste of water.

The City of Beaconsfield subsidizes the purchase of environmentally-friendly equipment for residents. Get a rain barrel for $40. Proof of residency is required. To learn more about the product, please click here.

To purchase the equipment:

• Pay for it at the City Hall reception desk, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd. Click here for office hours.
• Pick it up, with your receipt, at the bulk material centre behind Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire. Click here for office hours.

Flushing of the water network is scheduled from mid-April to mid-June. This may temporarily alter the appearance of your running water. If your water is dirty or discoloured (reddish or yellow), let your cold water run for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, after which time it should return to normal. If it does not, please contact Public Works at 514 428-4500. A notice is generally mailed before work is started.

A permanent collection point for the recovery of polystyrene items is available to Beaconsfield residents at the Public Works’ drop-off site.

Examples of polystyrene or rigid foam products:

• Protective packaging
• Insulation panels
• Cups for coffee and hot drinks
• Trays for meats, fruits and vegetables
• Clear dome and black bottom packaging for bakery products
• CD and DVD cases

Garbage and Recycling Collections

1. Collection Days
   • Garbage and Recycling: Every Thursday
   • Bulky items and construction, renovation and demolition material (CRD): Second Wednesday of the month for the north sector, and the fourth Wednesday of the month for the south sector, from April to November.
   • Green residue and leaves: every Monday from April to November. See schedule
2. Green residue collection schedule:
   • From April until the end of November: every Monday for the south sector, and every Wednesday for the north sector.
   • Winter (January, February, March and December): second Monday of the month for the south sector, and the second Wednesday of the month for the north sector.
3. Green residue includes: Dead leaves, hedge trimmings and yard waste (flowers, dead plants, weeds, grass clippings and stubble, wood chips, straw, hay, bush/shrub roots and plants.
4. Collection schedule for bulky items and construction, renovation and demolition material (CRD): Monthly, starting the second Wednesday of the month for the north sector, and the fourth Wednesday of the month for the south sector, from April to November.
5. If you miss the bulky items/CRD collection: Wait until the next one or bring these materials to the Public Work drop-off site.
6. What is CRD?
   “CRD” is material produced by construction/renovation and demolition of residential buildings performed by the occupant and not by a contractor.
7. Permitted bulky items: Furniture, rugs (to 6’ rolled and tied), mattresses, pool covers (rolled), household appliances (stoves, dishwashers, fridges, freezers), BBQ (without propane tank), hot water heaters, air-conditioning units, dehumidifiers, tire rims, cardboard boxes (flattened and stacked), etc.
8. CRDs accepted for bulky items collection: Wood and pallets, plasterboard, ceramics, concrete, bricks, paving stones (in open containers or boxes, for manual pick-up, up to 25 kg—55 lbs.), melamine, doors and windows, vinyl siding, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, mirrors and window panes (various sizes), asphalt and asphalt shingles, etc.
   Only CRDs resulting from renovations performed by residents themselves are allowed. Manually loaded items must be in containers or boxes. In general, it must be possible for 2 workers to pick up the materials by hand and do so in no more than 5 minutes.
9. I have green residue and leaves in plastic bags to be picked up. Will they be?
   No. Put your green residue and leaves in a garbage can, paper bag or cardboard box. Blue recycling bags are not allowed.
10. I have bulky objects in plastic bags to be picked up. Will they be?
    No. Put bulky objects in a garbage can, paper bag or cardboard box. Blue recycling bags are not allowed.
11. Will my CRDs resulting from renovation work performed by a private contractor be picked up?
    No. Only CRDs from the work performed by residents themselves are accepted.
12. Why weren’t my bulky objects and CRDs picked up this week?
    Bulky objects and CRDs are only picked up the second Wednesday of the month for the north sector, and the fourth Wednesday of the month for the south sector, from April to November.
13. Why weren’t my bulky objects/green residue/leaves/garbage picked up?
    Items not scheduled for collection (green residue, leaves in plastic bags, bulky objects, etc.) and put out to the curb on the wrong day or put out late will not be collected. Make sure you have the right day for the right collection. If none of these reasons applies, leave your contact information and we’ll follow up. 
14. Where should I leave bulky items and CRDs?
    Bulky objects should be neatly/safely stacked and placed separately from household garbage.
15. When should I put garbage and recyclables out to the curb?
    Put bulky waste/green residue/leaves and garbage cans out to the curb before 7:00 a.m. on collection day—or after 5:00 p.m. the night before.
16. What do I do with hazardous household waste (HHW)?
    Roving HHW collections are scheduled in the spring and fall each year. If you miss a collection, visit the collection sites of neighbouring municipalities.
17. Does the new bulky item collection have any impact on the ordinary garbage collection schedule?
    No. Both are completely separate.
18. Can I give away used objects that still work?
    YES. If your bulky items can still be used, you can give them to charity. Please visit our webpage about reuse organizations, or send an email to collectes-collection@beaconsfield.ca for a list of these organizations. 
19. I received a notice stating that my items cannot be picked up. Whom can I discuss this with?
    Please call 514 428-4500 or email collectes-collection@beaconsfield.ca for any questions or information about pick-ups. You can also check the online collection schedule for a list of items that will be accepted and rejected.
20. Are special pick-ups still possible?
    Yes. You can always request a paid special pick-up if you miss a pickup and for CRDs produced by a private contractor. An inspector will come by and estimate the fee ($95 minimum).

Garbage and Recycling

1. Why shouldn’t organic materials go to landfill, since they will biodegrade naturally?
   Compostable organic materials that are buried in a landfill site (dump) contaminate the water and generate such greenhouse gases as methane (CH4). When properly composted, they return organic matter to the earth without giving off leachates or methane.
2. Can I put my table scraps through a sink garbage disposal?
   Such units are prohibited in Montréal because the water treatment system is not designed to cope with the waste they generate. Furthermore, water treatment sludge is incinerated. The organic matter it contains is not, therefore, recyclable.
3. What should I do with my table scraps?
   Take advantage of the City's green and food residue collection. Click here for more details. Vegetable table scraps can be mixed with other home compost.
   • Each household may obtain one free composter and one free kitchen collector from the Public Works drop-off site.
4. How can I get rid of animal waste?
   The City currently does not pick up table scraps of animal origin or pet excrement. You can put such substances in the garbage. Waste of animal origin includes:
   • Meat, fat, cheese, bones and carcasses of chickens, etc.
   • Remainders of sauces and prepared dishes.
   • Pet (dog, cat, bird, etc.) excrement.
5. What do I do with dead animals?
   Dead animals are not accepted for garbage pickups. Their bodies can be turned over to veterinarians.
6. What do I do with disposable diapers?
   Put all disposable diapers from babies and other sources in the garbage.
7. What do I do with medical or human waste?
   Occasional medical waste may be put in the household garbage. However, residents who regularly use syringes must discard them in sharps disposal containers. Your pharmacy can provide further information.
   • Used bandages, cotton balls, etc.: garbage
   • Syringes: sharps disposal container (check with pharmacy)
8. What do I do with used clothing and different fabrics not suitable for charity?
   All non-reusable and non-recyclable clothing and fabrics may be discarded as garbage. However, recycling firms often accept to make rags or fibre. Check with such organizations. If they don’t want them, put them in the garbage.
9. How do I discard expired medications?
   Take them to the pharmacy.
10. Can I put my garbage in plastic bags?
    Although plastic wrap is recyclable, we recommend using sealed plastic bags to discard waste and control odour.
11. Where are recyclable bulky items and construction, renovation and demolition material taken?
    They are hauled to a dry materials sorting centre, except for cooling equipment, such as refrigerators, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, etc., which are taken to Public Works, where cooling liquids are removed by an accredited firm, before they are recycled.
    The sorting centre separate recyclable materials (wood, metal, plastics, plasterboard, asphalt shingles, cardboard, etc.) before recycling and reusing them.
    Bulky items and CRDs that are picked up by the City are not recycled. Take materials in good working order to a recycling organization.
12. Why recycle glass, which will be sent to landfill anyway?
    Not true! Glass that is recycled through selective collection (blue bin) is separated and sent to recyclers. Glass, which comes from sand, is worth less than other recycled materials and recycling it is less cost-effective. However, the recycling industry is evolving and you are encouraging development of these new solutions by discarding glass in your blue bind. Three subsectors currently use recycled glass:
    • Glass micronization for reuse in concrete.
    • Production of paving stones (see the Jean-Talon Market plan).
    • Use as cover materials in engineered landfill site.

Incentive Tariff Approach

1. What is incentive tariff?
   The incentive tariff approach offers flexible services for citizens and provides a more equitable method of charging for garbage collection.
   The pilot project allowed citizens to choose a garbage bin size (120 L, 240 L and 360 L) and put the bin out to the curb only when necessary. Garbage sent to landfill dropped 31%.

See the incentive tariff approach section

2. Will this cost me more?
In 2015, $176 from each property tax account went to waste management. This system would provide new services while minimizing waste management charges and boosting the City's environmental performance. The charges billed to residents depend, each year, on what the City pays to outside contractors. Residents who use the full set of municipal recycling services should not pay more than before. It is likely they will pay less.

3. Will the incentive tariff apply to all Beaconsfield citizens?
The incentive tariff applies for citizens who have received a smart garbage bin from the City. 

4. Why should we change our habits?
Before rolling out its Reduction Strategy, Beaconsfield was the Island of Montréal's second-largest waste producer per capita. Citizens generated an average 418 kg/person/year (compared with an average 272 kg for Québec as a whole, based on RECYC-QUÉBEC 2010 Household Characterization figures).
The average Beaconsfield garbage bin was, on average, half filled with compostable organic matter that can easily be diverted from landfill. These new measure help cut landfill costs and protect the environment.
Beaconsfield must comply with Québec's regulations. These include no paper, cardboard or organic matter in garbage by 2020. The Québec Action Plan for Waste Management seeks to:

• Recycle 60% of biodegradable materials.
• Recycle 70% of paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and scrap metal.
• Send 70% of construction, renovation and demolition waste (CRD) to a sorting centre.
• Cut waste production 16%.

5. Why not pick-up compostable materials, like our neighbours?
Beaconsfield has different features from these communities:

• The vast majority of residents live in single-family homes.
• Over 92% have backyards and can compost.
• Abundant vegetation generates a very large volume of green residue.

Beaconsfield's Reduction Strategy provides a more comprehensive approach aimed at reducing all waste production. Initiatives in place seek to recycle the very large majority of organic waste (green residue, domestic composting and grasscycling), while boosting reuse of all other waste (collections of bulky items and construction, renovation and demolition waste).

Problems associated with brown bin collections in neighbouring cities are:

• Brown bins contain a low percentage of kitchen residue relative to green residue
• Participation is low in the winter
• In the winter, kitchen residue can stick to the bin and not be completely removed
• The size of the brown bin is too small for residents who produce a lot of green residue
• The tonnage diverted does not justify the high cost

        Advantages of targeted green residue collections and community support for backyard composting:

• Weekly green residue pickup from April to November, during the period of peak production of organic matter
• No limit on the number of bags or reusable containers collected
• No use of plastic bags (plastic would contaminate the compost)
• Contract cost is fixed even if amount of green residue collected increases annually
• Backyard composting allows treatment and use of organic matter on site (avoids transportation and ensures reuse)
• Free composter provided to all residents for kitchen residue and green residue
• Resident support program offered by the Beaconsfield’s volunteer Master Composters

6. How will the RFID system be used for the automated collection of the garbage bins?

• Each garbage bin is equipped with an RFID tag encoded with a unique alphanumeric identifier
• The RFID reader on the arm of the garbage truck registers each time a specific bin is emptied
• The system allows the operator to select from a list of irregularities if a bin could not be emptied
• Examples of irregularities: bin broken, incorrect bin, bin not accessible, bin backwards, etc.
• If necessary, the operator can take a picture to illustrate why the bin was not collected
• The system provides a very useful tool to improve service and information for residents

7. What are the principal advantages of the incentive tariff and the automated collection of garbage?

• The mechanized collection requires only 1 operator, less chance of accidents, thereby reducing cost
• The savings realized allows the City to offer more services to residents to help reduce waste
• The green residue and bulky item collections have greatly reduced waste sent to landfill
• Problems can be identified in real time, allowing oversights to be resolved the same day (facilitates complaint management )
• The bins provided by the City are more stable and resistant to damage, especially in winter
• The fee structure of the garbage contract ensures that the community’s efforts are rewarded (savings shared directly with residents)
• In many cases residents will pay less for garbage collection in 2016 than they did in 2015
• The flexible system allows each resident to determine his/her needs, based on his/her efforts to reduce waste

8. Why has this integrated approach to waste reduction been chosen instead of other means in an effort to optimize costs and reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfill?

• In 2013, Beaconsfield produced the second highest amount of garbage per capita on the Island of Montreal. An integrated approach was necessary to reduce the material sent to landfill and to bring about significant environmental improvement while controlling costs.
• Given the substantial added cost and the low diversion rates observed, the brown bin collections for organic waste do not offer a cost-effective means to reduce waste.
• A Recyc-Québec study has determined that most of the content of brown bins consists of green residue (75%). The City’s green residue collections have proven to be very cost-effective at reducing the organic matter sent to landfill.
• Results up until now, have demonstrated that the pillars of the Strategy will enable the City to reach and even exceed the environmental targets at a lower cost.
• In the first six months of 2015, Beaconsfield residents have reduced the tonnage of waste sent to landfill by 28% compared to the same period in 2014.
• Reducing the frequency of garbage collection in other cities has not resulted in significant savings and has proven to be very disruptive for their residents.
• The incentive tariff provides a more equitable and flexible approach to waste collection than the current rate structure, as it acknowledges the efforts residents make to reduce the waste left out for curbside pick-up.

NOTE

Mayor Georges Bourelle and the elected members of the Beaconsfield Municipal Council are fully committed to preserving the safety, health and civic rights of all citizens, and have taken measures to ensure that the new waste collection system is privacy compliant when cameras are installed in truck dump boxes to capture images of the materials being picked up.

The City of Beaconsfield has obtained two legal opinions on this issue confirming that the new procedure, already in use in thousands of cities in the U.S. and Canada, is consistent with the right to privacy.

Privacy protection, which is clearly defined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Free-doms and the Civil Code of Quebec, ensures protection of both the character and image of an individual.

According to the lawyers consulted, garbage put out for purposes of collection is considered to have been “abandoned” by its owner. Consequently, privacy protection is not at issue.

Decisions handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2009 and the Appeal Court of Quebec in 2012 confirm that privacy is protected when citizens leave their household waste on a public right-of-way because, in so doing, they give up ownership rights to the garbage bags and their contents.

The experts consulted stated that there is no legal foundation to the claim that viewing garbage collection operations on a screen – or taking photographs of such operations – constitutes an infringement of privacy.

Branches can be discarded at Public Works from September 1 to May 31. No limit. Don’t prune during the summer, because this can spread ash borer disease.

READY? SET? REDUCE!

How does the automated waste collection system work?

Garbage bins equipped with RFID transponders are distributed to Beaconsfield residents. Three bin sizes are available:

• MINI – 120 litres
• STANDARD – 240 litres
• HEFTY – 360 litres

The RFID transponder affixed to your bin enables the system to link the bin to your address How often you use the collection service will therefore automatically be registered with your home, based on your disposal habits. This approach allows you to manage your bill: the less you throw away, the more you save.

The automated waste collection system will collect waste in a bin that can be lifted mechanically only. Only the new charcoal bin will be collected. Bags or other garbage placed next to the bin will not beaccepted.

What is the smart collection?
The smart collection is based on the “pay as you throw’’ principle and is established according to the size and frequency of collection. The weight of the bin is not relevant.

In fact, the smart collection takes a more equitable, beneficial and logical approach to waste collection than the current rate structure, as it accounts for the efforts you make to reduce the waste you leave out for curbside pick-up. The more you sort by using all other available collections, the slower you’ll fill your garbage bin and the less frequently you’ll need to put out the bin for pick-up.

What are the benefits of automated waste collection and the incentive tariff?
This approach delivers a number of benefits, both for the City of Beaconsfield and its citizens.

Cost control for the City
Automated waste collection is less expensive than the current system, and the savings enable the City to diversify the waste management services it offers citizens.

Cost control for citizens
The tariff system takes into account your actual use of the collection service and the amount of waste you produce. It is therefore more equitable and enables you to control the amount you are charged.

Environmental preservation
It has been demonstrated that a smart collcetion promotes waste reduction and sorting. It has also been shown to change people’s shopping habits. These simple actions add up to a positive and profound impact on the environment.

Who does the program apply to?
The program targets single family residences, which make up 92% of all of the homes in Beaconsfield.

The smart collection is calculated based on a fixed tariff plus a variable tariff, as explained below:

2023 tariff chart

Tariffs are based on actual costs for all collection services. Rates for 2023 are presented below.

Payment

• The fixed tariff will be charged on your municipal tax bill.
• The variable tariff will be billed at the end of the year at the same time as the water tax.

The following three examples illustrate how tariffs will be calculated based on the bin format and garbage collection frequency:

A system adapted to each family’s situation
There is no good or bad bin size. What’s important are the efforts and actions of each person to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. A family with a 120-litre bin who puts out their garbage for pick-up four times a month will have produced more garbage than someone with a 360-litre bin who puts the garbage out once a month. The frequency of the collection has just as much impact on the environment.

Which bin size is right for my family?
In making your decision, please note the capacity of each bin size:

The MINI - 120 litres – up to 5 standard kitchen garbage bags
The STANDARD - 240 litres - up to 10 standard kitchen garbage bags
The HEFTY - 360 litres - up to 15 standard kitchen garbage bags

Please note that these formats are the same as those currently offered for recycling bins.

Examine your current habits and how you might be able to reduce the amount of waste your household produces. The City of Beaconsfield offers you many complementary collection services to help you do so.

IT’S UP TO YOU!

What should I do with my old bin?
Why not use it for your green residue? It’s a practical solution and one we encourage. If you wish to dispose of your old bin or if it is damaged, you can put it out for the bulky item collection and add a note to it to ensure it is picked up for recycling. During the period between December and March when no bulky item collections are planned, you can bring it to the Public Works drop off site.

Have questions?
Please consult the Frequently Asked Questions on the Beaconsfield website, which can be found by clicking on the Garbage and recycling collection section.

You can also reach us by email at reduction@beaconsfield.ca or by phone at 514 428-4500.

Consult the Reference Guide (PDF)

In partnership with

• Learn more about Beaconsfield Waste Reduction Strategy
• Results of the Open House on Waste Management held in 2014 (PDF available in French only)
• Report on the Waste Reduction Pilot Project - 2015 (PDF available in French only)
• Presentation to Council for the 2016 Collection Contract - May 28, 2015 (PDF)
• Report on the Smart Collection Implementation - 2017 (PDF available in French only)
• Results of the Smart Collection after the first year of implementation - 2017 (PDF)
• Report on the Pilot Project for the Optimization of the Recyclable Materials Collection - 2018 (PDF available in French only)
• Feasibility study on the scenarios for the collection of organic material – 2021 (PDF in French only)

Electronic products should be thought of as a resource for producing other equipment, rather than as garbage. ICT, information and communications technology equipment, is not picked up in normal garbage collections.

Public Works Drop-Off Site

The City provides residents with a special waste drop-off site, at the back of the Public Works building. Use is limited to residents, who must present proof of residency (driver’s licence or municipal tax bill). Up to five drop-offs (excluding branches) are permitted each year per address.

Permitted

• Bulky waste: furniture, appliances, mattresses, carpets (rolled up and tied)
• Construction, renovation and demolition waste (CRD): wood, plaster, paving stones, concrete, bricks, doors and windows
• Electronic waste, batteries and light bulbs
• Tires from lightweight vehicles without rims and rims without tires
• Branches, logs, stumps and fire wood (September 1 to May 31)
• Fallen leaves (from mid-October to mid-December only)
• Plastic #6 (styrofoam)

Refused

• Household garbage, recyclable items, large cardboard
• Hazardous domestic waste (HDW)
• Green residus
• Branches, logs, stumps and fire wood (May 31 to September 1)

MORATORIUM
Special measure to limit spread of ash borer disease

To comply with the departmental order on ash borer disease, it is prohibited to bring potentially infested bulk material to the drop-off site such as heating wood, logs, branches and stumps and nursery materials, between May 31 and September 1.

After the five visits, the following charges apply:

• Cars: $15 per drop-off
• Light truck or van: $40 per drop-off
• 'Pickups': $40 minimum (based on estimate)
• Truck with dump box—less than 5 tons: $150 minimum (based on estimate)
• Single axle trailer: $80 minimum (based on estimate)
• Dual axle trailer: $200 minimum (based on estimate)

Place and Hours:
300, Beaurepaire

Monday to Friday: 7:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday: open only from April to the end of November, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Questions? Email us at site.depot@beaconsfield.ca 

Special Pickup

If you must discard items or materials not eligible for regular pickups or if you missed the free branch pickup, you can request a special pickup from Public Works at 514 428-4500.

An inspector will give you an estimate of the charge. There is a $100 minimum for bulky waste and CRD, and $60 minimum for branches. If you are not home when the inspector comes, s/he will leave the estimate in your mailbox. You must make your payment to City Hall before the pickup will occur.

WHAT IS IT?

Composting is a natural process in which organic matter, like leaves, garden waste and kitchen scraps are turned into a valuable fertilizer (compost) for the garden and yard.
This transformation is partly due to microorganisms and worms that break down organic matter into plant nutrients.

ACCEPTED AND REFUSED MATERIALS

Make sure to mix the following materials:
Green

• Green residue (flowers, weeds, leaves and houseplants)
• Kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable waste, bread, pasta and legumes)
• Coffee filters and grounds, tea and herbal tea bags

Brown

• Dead leaves
• Twigs, smalls branches and straw
• Wood chips, pellets and saw dust
• Newsprint (black ink only) and cardboard egg cartons

Refused

• Meat, fish and bones.
• Fats and oils, sauces, cheese and dairy products.
• Animal waste.
• Sick plants and leaves.

Read our Composting Guide

ORIGAMI - Kitchen Catcher (PDF)

WHAT ARE BULKY ITEMS?

Bulky items are too big to be placed in a bag, box or garbage bin. In order to reduce the quantity of dry materials sent to landfill, these items are sent to a sorting centre for recycling and reuse.

MATERIALS ACCEPTED AND REFUSED

Accepted

Metal
Metal furniture, household appliance (stove, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine, oven, fridge, freezer), BBQ (without gas tank), air-conditioner, dehumidifier, electric devices, lawn mower/snow blower (with empty bag), hot water tank, bathtub, toilette, wheel rims.

Non-Metal
Wooden furniture (table, chair, dresser, cabinet, sofa), carpet (rolled up and tied—6’ max.), mattress, pool liner (rolled up), large pieces of cardboard, large, hard plastic objects (children’s play structures)

Refused

• Household garbage
• Recyclables, except cardboard and large plastic objects
• Hazardous domestic waste
• Green residue, Christmas trees and branches
• Electronic waste
• Tires 

DISCARDING BULKY ITEMS

Collection of Bulky, Construction, Renovation and Demolition Material

North sector of highway 20 : the second Wednesday of the month until November inclusive.

South sector of highway 20 : the fourth Wednesday of the month until November inclusive.

Take your bulky items to the curb after 5 p.m. the night before or before 7:00 a.m. on the day of the collection.

Waste material may not be left at the curbside outside authorized hours.  See section By-laws, policies relating to the environment and sanitation

• Bulky items must be neatly and safely stacked
• No garbage bags allowed. Place such waste in a container, cardboard box or paper bag
• SMALL QUANTITIES ONLY: 2 m3
  Maximum length for construction materials:1.8 metres (6 feet) by 1.2 metres (4 feet) by 1 metre (3 feet) 
   

Overlooked items? 

Make sure collection instructions were followed: day and time, accepted materials, size and weight, etc. 

If all instructions were followed, report the situation to Public Works the same evening after 7 p.m. or before 10 a.m. the next day. 
Requests received after 10 a.m. the day following the collection will not be processed.

Public Works Drop-Off Site

You can always bring your bulky waste to the Public Works Drop-Off during operating hours.

WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION AND DEMOLITION WASTE (CRD)?

Such materials are generated by house or yard renovation and include wood, plaster, tiles and paving stones. Only materials from small-scale renovation work by residents are collected. Maximum dimensions are 1.8 m (6’) by 1.2 m (4’). Please ensure that all nails are removed.

MATERIALS ACCEPTED AND REFUSED

Accepted

• Wood, palettes, melamine and plywood
• Plaster
• Tiles, concrete, bricks and paving stones (in a container)
• Doors, windows and vinyl siding
• Asphalt shingles
• Hard plastic

Refused

• Sharp objects (to ensure worker safety)
• Household garbage
• Recyclables (except cardboard and large, hard plastics)
• Hazardous domestic waste
• Green residue and Christmas trees
• Electronic waste (Drop-Off site at Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire)
• Tires (Drop-Off site at Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire)

DISCARDING BULKY WASTE?

Bulky, Construction, Renovation and Demolition Waste

Take your bulky waste to the curb after 9 p.m. the night before or before 7:00 a.m. on the day of the collection.

Bulky waste must be:

• Separated from regular garbage
• Neatly and safely stacked
• Placed in containers, except large objects that can be picked up by hand
• No stacks
• Less than 25 kg (55 lbs.)

No garbage bags allowed. Place such waste in a container, cardboard box or paper bag.

Overlooked items? 

Make sure collection instructions were followed: day and time, accepted materials, size and weight, etc. 

If all instructions were followed, report the situation to Public Works the same evening after 7 p.m. or before 10:30 a.m. the next day. 
Requests received after 10 a.m. the day following the collection will not be processed.

Public Works Drop-Off Site

You can always bring your bulky waste to the Public Works Drop-Off during operating hours.

Contractors
Construction waste produced by contractors is not accepted. Tell your contractor to send the dumpster to a construction, renovation and demolition waste sorting centre.

WHAT ARE BULKY ITEMS?

Bulky items are too big to be placed in a bag, box or garbage bin. In order to reduce the quantity of dry materials sent to landfill, these items are sent to a sorting centre for recycling and reuse.

MATERIALS ACCEPTED AND REFUSED

Accepted

Metal
Metal furniture, household appliance (stove, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine, oven, fridge, freezer), BBQ (without gas tank), air-conditioner, dehumidifier, electric devices, lawn mower/snow blower (with empty bag), hot water tank, bathtub, toilette, wheel rims.

Non-Metal
Wooden furniture (table, chair, dresser, cabinet, sofa), carpet (rolled up and tied—6’ max.), mattress, pool liner (rolled up), large pieces of cardboard, large, hard plastic objects (children’s play structures)

Refused

• Household garbage
• Recyclables, except cardboard and large plastic objects
• Hazardous domestic waste
• Green residue, Christmas trees and branches
• Electronic waste
• Tires 

DISCARDING BULKY ITEMS

Collection of Bulky, Construction, Renovation and Demolition Material

North sector of highway 20 : the second Wednesday of the month until November inclusive.

South sector of highway 20 : the fourth Wednesday of the month until November inclusive.

Take your bulky items to the curb after 5 p.m. the night before or before 7:00 a.m. on the day of the collection.

Waste material may not be left at the curbside outside authorized hours.  See section By-laws, policies relating to the environment and sanitation

• Bulky items must be neatly and safely stacked
• No garbage bags allowed. Place such waste in a container, cardboard box or paper bag
• SMALL QUANTITIES ONLY: 2 m3
  Maximum length for construction materials:1.8 metres (6 feet) by 1.2 metres (4 feet) by 1 metre (3 feet) 
   

Overlooked items? 

Make sure collection instructions were followed: day and time, accepted materials, size and weight, etc. 

If all instructions were followed, report the situation to Public Works the same evening after 7 p.m. or before 10 a.m. the next day. 
Requests received after 10 a.m. the day following the collection will not be processed.

Public Works Drop-Off Site

You can always bring your bulky waste to the Public Works Drop-Off during operating hours.

SMART RECYCLING COLLECTION

The advantages are numerous:

• Any problem can be identified in real-time and resolved, possibly, the same day.
• The transponders installed on the bins allow the City to ensure their traceability.
• The flexibility of this system allows us to offer a weekly collection service and not only every two weeks. You can use it according to your needs.
• Thanks to your efforts, you are helping to reduce the cost of the collection service.

Why put the blue bin at the curb only when it is full?

• To reduce GHGs
• To reduce costs

The less frequently you put it out, the more we will save!

We wish to acknowledge the valuable cooperation of all residents. Your help allows us to move forward with this new initiative.

Questions? Write to us at reduction@beaconsfield.ca

Financed by Éco Entreprises Québec and RecycleMédias, the recycling collection aims to recover containers, packaging and printed material.

ACCEPTED

Rule to remember: Paper and cardboard soaked with oil, grease and food are not recyclable. However, a trace of grease on a box of donuts or pizza does not harm the recycling process.

Reminder: Put all the plastic bags in one and remove all flyers from the plastic bag

REFUSED 

• Hazardous material containers
• Wooden boxes (e.g. clementines)
• Styrofoam
• Corks
• Sharp items
• Wood and construction residue
• Electronic residue
• Bulky items (sofa, household appliances, air conditioner, oven ...)
• Extension cord
• Household hazardous waste (HHW)
• Kitchen residue
• Green residue
• Textiles
• Light bulbs
• Hazardous material containers
• Toys
• Plastic equipment (hose)
• Goods pools (canvas, ladders and pumps)
• Dishes
• PVC items

Flammable products...NOT IN THE BLUE BIN!

These products constitute a real danger for the safety of the employees who work in the sorting centers. Flammable products include in particular:

• Automobile batteries and any other kind of battery;
• Wax for furniture;
• Fuel for fondue;
• Rubbing alcohol;
• Nail polish remover;
• Nail polish;
• Solvent-based glue;
• Ammunition;
• Alkyd paint;
• Solvents;
• Varnish;
• Aerosols;
• Antifreeze;
• Oils for vehicles.

COLLECTION 

Recyclables are picked up Thursdays (except statutory holidays) from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The blue bin should be put out by the curb after 5:00 p.m. the night before or before 7:00 a.m. the day of the collection. Make sure to take the bin back from the curb the same day before 11:00 p.m.

Only 120 L, 240 L or 360 L litter cans provided by the City are acceptable. The blue bins are City property.

Overlooked bin? 

Make sure collection instructions were followed: day and time, bin position, accepted container, container weight, accepted materials, etc. 

If all instructions were followed, report the situation to Public Works the same evening after 7 p.m. or before 10:30 a.m. the next day. 
Requests received after 10:30 a.m. the day following the collection will not be processed.

To facilitate robotic pickup, please make sure:

• Bins are placed within one metre of the curb
• Bin wheels face your house
• There is 60 cm (2’) free on both sides and at the back of the wheeled bin
• All materials are inside (large piece of cardboard should be discarded with construction, renovation and demolition waste)

GETTING A NEW BIN

Damaged or Missing Bin
If your blue bin is damaged, you can get a replacement by calling 514 428-4500 or emailing reduction@beaconsfield.ca

New Residents
Please use the blue bin provided by the City of Beaconsfield. It has a robotic hoisting attachment to facilitate pickups.
No bin or you’ve just moved in? You can ask for a blue bin to be dropped off. Call us at 514 428-4500 or send an email to reduction@beaconsfield.ca
Remember to write your address with a permanent marker in the space provided on the can.

Moving?
The blue bin is the City of Beaconsfield property. If you move, leave it behind for the next occupant. The bin’s serial number matches its place of delivery.

Recyling of Nespresso Coffee Capsules 

How it works

FOR AN EASY AND EFFICIENT RECYCLING COLLECTION

Pick the right collection

• Recyc-Québec has a tool that allows you to find the appropriate collection by material.
• Available in both languages, and also as a smart phone application, the “Ça va où ?” (“Where does it go?”) tool provides a search engine by municipality recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/points-de-recuperation

NEW! You can now recycle your oral care products

• Oral care products are NOT accepted in the blue bin.
• To ensure these products are recycled, the City has installed a collection box at the entrance to City Hall and at the Recreation Centre.
• This collection box allows you to recycle toothbrushes and heads for electric toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and caps, related packaging, and floss containers.

New recycling centre for the West Island

The Agglomeration of Montreal has opened a new sorting centre for recycled materials in Lachine. It is one of the most efficient in North America, which will greatly improve the quality of the materials sorted, and increase the reuse of materials locally. Collections from Beaconsfield’s blue bins are delivered to this new recycling centre since October 31.

Click here for more details (in French only) 

What happens to the materials that go to sorting centres in Quebec?

• They are transformed and used in Quebec by a multitude of companies.
• Plastic containers are turned into plastic lumber that can be used to create furniture.
• Paper is turned into recycled fibres that can produce food packaging, tissues, egg cartons, etc.
• Cardboard is turned into packaging (corrugated boxes, containers,paper products, etc.)
• Glass is turned into ecomaterials.
  • Ex: Éco Entreprises Québec has developed markets for recycled abrasives, cement additives, and mineral wool.

WHAT IS IT?

Garbage is non-recyclable waste that cannot be disposed using the recycling services or collections provided by the City. You can put your garbage in a sealed plastic bag inside the garbage bin. For example, garbage includes: scrap and non-recyclable materials, meat carcasses, fatty cuts of meat, waste of animal, disposable diapers, soiled non-recyclable packaging including toys where batteries have been removed.

COLLECTION

Garbage is picked up Thursdays (except statutory holidays) from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The bin should be put out by the curb after 5:00 p.m. the night before or before 7:00 a.m. the day of the collection. Make sure to take the bin back from the curb the same day before 11:00 p.m.

Overlooked bin? 

Make sure collection instructions were followed: day and time, bin position, accepted container, container weight, accepted materials, etc. 

If all instructions were followed, report the situation to Public Works the same evening after 7 p.m. or before 10:30 a.m. the next day. 
Requests received after 10:30 a.m. the day following the collection will not be processed.

Write to collectes-collection@beaconsfield.ca 

PROHIBITED

• Recyclables eligible for selective collection
• Bulky waste
• Construction, renovation and demolition waste (CRD)
• Green residue
• Hazardous domestic waste (HDW)
• Electronic waste (Drop-Off Site at Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire)
• Tires (Drop-Off site at Public Works, 300 Beaurepaire)
• Car parts
• Dead animals (Please notify Public Works 514 428-4500)
• Biomedical waste (ex. needles)

Tips on How to Avoid Rodent Damage to Wheeled Bins

• Put your bins out for collection Thursday morning before 7 a.m., not the night before
• Always put material in sealed bags in the garbage bin
• Keep the bins clean and use a disinfectant as required
• Where possible, keep your bins in a shed or garage
• If shelter is not available, place bins away from trees and shrubs that provide animals with easy access

YOUR GREY BIN ISN’T RIGHT FOR YOUR NEEDS?

If your garbage bin is too large or too small for your household’s needs, you have the right to change to a different size, one time only, at the end of the year.

Important guidelines:

• Your existing bin must be clean and empty of all waste
• Leave the bin on the outside of your property where it is visible from the street (e.g. in front of the garage)
• Write your address on your new bin as soon as you receive it!
  
  Send the form to Public Works by email at reduction@beaconsfield.ca, by fax at 514 428-4511 or by mail at 300 Beaurepaire, Beaconsfield (Quebec) H9W 3C1.

Please fill out the form below and return it to Public Works. If possible, please send the form by email to reduction@beaconsfield.ca. 

Deadline to submit the form : October 20, 2023. 

Exchanges will take place on November 3, 10 and 17, 2023.

CLICK HERE FOR THE BIN REPLACEMENT REQUEST FORM.

Collection Calendar

Waste Reduction Strategy

Beaconsfield residents rank second as producers of domestic waste per capita on the island of Montreal. More than 50% of our domestic waste could be diverted from landfills.

To address the problem at the source, the City is proposing a Waste Reduction Strategy based on five key elements. The City's goal is to reduce the quantity of waste sent to landfill.

The City will take into account the results of the pilot project and residents' feedback to finalize the Strategy.

The pilot project on the incentive tariff approach, currently underway with 253 residents, is one of the elements analyzed by the City as part of the Waste Reduction Strategy. The goal of the pilot project is to test this approach.

Encouraging home composting is one of the five elements that are part of the proposed Waste Reduction Strategy.

 Grasscycling and leaf mulching are also part of the proposed strategy. Both activities, in addition to saving time, help reduce discarded organic material and the cost of collection, transportation and treatment.

 The City offers options to help you dispose of your waste responsibly. Note that green residue collections will increase from 8 to 22 in 2015, from April to November. Before throwing it away, think of the 3Rs!

 For more information on the Waste Reduction Strategy, to share your comments or to askk questions, email us at reduction@beaconsfield.ca.

Recycling grass is easy to do, it consists of leaving cut grass on the lawn after mowing the lawn. The result is reduced lawn maintenance and decreased fertilization and watering costs. Cut grass decomposes within two or three days leaving no trace behind. It is a natural fertilizer and speeds up decomposition of stubble. Recycling grass is a simple and effective way or maintaining your lawn and protecting our environment!

Benefits of grasscycling

There are many reasons to be a herbicycler!  6 Good reasons:

• For the environment: The grass clippings are an importance source of methane (CH4). By decomposing in landfill in the absence of oxygen, they produce biogases which contribute to increase greenhouse gas emissions. The methane is 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide (CO2).
• To save on fertilizer purchase: Provide nutritive elements (mainly nitrogen) for the lawn through the decomposition of the cut grass;
• To humidify the lawn:  hydrate the soil naturally and protect it against drought, because grass wastes contain a large amount of water; 90 % Water by weight
• To strengthen the lawn: nourish the micro-organisms that are beneficial to the soil and which help to decompose the thatch.
• To reduce the volume of your waste, which reduces pollution associated with grass decomposing in landfill.  
• To save time: no time wasted on collecting and bagging grass clippings.  Greatly reduce the volume of garbage that will end up in landfill;

Every year, the City organizes two hazardous waste collections in the spring and autumn.  Recycle your items at any one of these depots:
 

Did you know that Quebec residents discard an average 341 kg per year of waste that ends up in Greater Montreal dumps? Our garbage containers are still 44% full of organic and compostable substances. Proper waste management has a significant impact on protecting the environment and on your taxes. This section discusses appropriate disposal of waste and products and services that the city offers. Learn to identify and manage compostable, recyclable and hazardous materials.

Every year there are two branch collection periods, one in the spring and another in autumn. The period for spring pick-up starts in April until mid-June. The pick-up in autumn starts in September until the end of October.

Angell Woods is one of the most important wooded areas on the island of Montreal. It also includes one of the island's most extensive wetlands. The threatened or endangered species to be found there include the maple-hickory and red ash. This rich natural environment is, for the most part, privately owned. In July 2010, the Council adopted a temporary regulation for the Angell Woods sector in order to enforce a period of reflection needed to guide the development, modification or revision of planning tools. This interim control ensures that planning efforts will not be rendered useless by projects that would jeopardize urban planning and development guidelines being defined. This regulation was also an opportunity to conduct studies of the area's fauna, flora and vehicular traffic.

This exceptional power allows the Council to maintain a freeze on planning and development for the Angell Woods sector for the time required to:

• identify broad development guidelines for the principal uses and purpose of the woods;
• determine the steps to be taken to implement the choices made

Following the recent municipal election, the Council has taken the time to set guidelines based on acquired knowledge and has succeeded in reaching a consensus in its decision to save the entire Angell Woods area. This section provides all relevant information available on this exceptional natural environment.

For more information, please contact the Urban Planning Department at 514 428-4430 or email to info-boisangellwoods@beaconsfield.ca

News Releases

January 30, 2015 - Montreal's Development Plan - Angell Woods is now permanently and officially protected as a regional park (PDF)

May 27, 2014: Essential to the environment - City of Beaconsfield calls on province to legislate wetlands protection (PDF)

April 29, 2014: Exceptional forest ecosystems in Angell Woods - City of Beaconsfield asks for official protection from Quebec government (PDF)

February 25, 2014: Mayor Georges Bourelle meets with Mayor Réal Ménard - First working session for the protection of Angell Woods (PDF)

February 9, 2014: City of Montréal purchases land for $1.9 million - A concrete move to protect Angell Woods (PDF)

Environmental Studies

Biofilia's expertise on Angell Woods (PDF)

Report from the Technical Advisory Committee of the Rivière à l'Orme ecoforest corridor (PDF)

Regulations

By-Law BEAC-053 - Angell sector interim control by-law

By-Law BEAC-053-01 - By-law modifying interim control by-law BEAC-053

Resolutions

Extracts from April 2007 until May 2014 (PDF)

Support to the City of Montréal for the acquisition of properties in Angell Woods (PDF)

Recognition of exceptional forest ecosystems in Angell Woods (PDF)

Request for the protection of wetlands in Angell Woods (PDF)

Other documents related to Angell Woods

Traffic Study Sunrise Project (PDF)

Study by Biofilia - Sunrise vacant lot (PDF)

More on Angell Woods, click here.

Leaf mulching involves shredding leaves with a lawnmower and using them as mulch on your gardens and lawn. Mulching leaves directly back into the turf has proven to be a cost and time effective means of leaf disposal and does not negatively impact turf performance.

View the video produced by the Beaconsfield Environmental Advisory Committee to learn more.

Soils that are acid, compact, poor and deficient in calcium and magnesium are ideal conditions for the establishment of the weed.

How to reduce the presence of weed:

• Deterrent factors:
• Check the soil’s pH and add lime to counter acidity.
• Break up the soil with a lawn aerator. This will allow water and nutrients to infiltrate better into the roots.
• Re-seed annually to keep your lawn thick and free of bare spots. The thicker coverage will compete with the seeds of undesirable plants.
• Keep the grass long (8 cm) to prevent seeds from germinating in the soil. Grass that is mowed very short is three times more likely to have weeds than grass that is kept longer. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting.

Giant hogweed is harmful to health and the environment. It hampers the growth of other plants in the habitats it colonizes. It destabilizes ecosystems and contributes to bank erosion. It should never be seeded, planted, propagated or transported. Contact with its sap can cause painful skin reactions similar to burns. If required to handle it, you should wear gloves, long pants, and long sleeves.

Description of the plant

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a poisonous, invasive, exotic species. It is a perennial in the carrot and parsnip family like cow parsnip, which it resembles, although it is much less poisonous. Giant hogweed can measure from two to five meters high, or thirty centimetres to one meter after mowing. Its very robust stem is covered with stiff white hairs and numerous, very distinct, extensive, raspberry-red to purple spots. Its leaves can be up to 1.5 meters wide and three meters long.
Giant hogweed is a spectacular, impressive plant. It is also very appealing and intriguing. Children may hide or play in it, or use the stem as a flute, peashooter, or telescope. Adults may appreciate it as an ornamental plant.

Habitats colonized by the plant

Giant hogweed first appeared in Québec in 1990. It has been found in a number of regions in the province, including Bas-Saint-Laurent, Capitale-Nationale, Côte-Nord, Chaudière-Appalaches, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and Lanaudière.
Giant hogweed prefers cool, damp habitats and is found in the following types of disturbed habitat: Along the banks of waterways, in ditches, along railways, on roadsides, in fields and in vacant lots.

Health effects

Although contact with the sap is not painful in itself, the toxins it contains are activated by light (UV rays), making the skin extremely sensitive to sunlight and causing a type of damage to superficial skin cells called phytophotodermatites.
Phytophotodermatites can develop up to 48 hours after exposure to sap. It is characterized by localized rash and oedema (red, swollen skin), blisters, or even burns. Once healed (in approximately a week), brown spots can persist and the affected region can remain sensitive to sunlight for several months.
All parts of the body can be affected, but the back of the hands, arms, legs, and face are the most commonly injured because they are more likely to be exposed to the poisonous sap and to sunlight.

The risk of exposure is high for the following groups of people:

• Children and their parents
• Horticulturalists
• Farmers
• Personnel doing brushing work
• Anyone living or spending time in areas where the plant is found.

To reduce the risk of exposure to the sap, these individuals should be able to recognize giant hogweed.

What to do in the event of exposure
If your skin has been in contact with sap

• Remove the sap as quickly as possible without spreading it. Use a sheet of absorbent paper and do not rub. Wash the affected area with soap and rinse thoroughly with water. Then wash your hands.
• Change and wash your clothes to avoid contaminating other parts of your body or other people.
• Cover affected areas (gloves, long pants, and long sleeves) to avoid exposing them to light (including artificial light) for at least 48 hours.

If your eyes have come in contact with sap

• Rinse your eyes thoroughly with clean water for ten minutes.
• Wear dark sunglasses to avoid exposing your eyes to light.
• See a doctor as soon as possible.

If you have burns

• Avoid any exposure to sunlight for at least a week.
• Use sunscreen for six months.
• Call the Info-Santé helpline at 8-1-1 for more information on how to treat burns.

If you think you have been in contact with giant hogweed or if you would like more information on what to do in case of burns, contact Centre antipoison du Québec at 1-800-463-5060 or the Info-Santé help line at 8-1-1.

You should see a doctor in the following cases:

• A child is affected;
• Eyes are affected;
• The affected person is running a fever;
• Large lesions develop;
• Red, swollen skin over an area greater than one-third of the affected body part; Presence of blisters 25 millimeters or more in diameter (larger than a quarter); Several affected body parts;
• Pus (yellow opaque liquid) in the wounds.

How to control it

Giant hogweed should be controlled to protect not only public health, but also the environment for the following reasons:

• It disrupts the balance of the ecosystems it invades.
• It reduces biodiversity.
• It promotes bank erosion.

It is very important to limit its spread by avoiding seeding, planting, propagating, or transporting it. As far as possible, it should be eliminated and its regrowth prevented.

If you must handle the plant, protect yourself:

• Cover your body head to toe with protective, nonabsorbent clothing (synthetic, waterproof material): long pants, long sleeves, and waterproof gloves with long cuffs.
• Pay special attention to areas where your protective clothes overlap (wrists, ankles, neck).
• Remove your clothes and gloves by turning them inside out. To prevent contamination, avoid putting soiled clothes in contact with other objects or clothing and wash them well before any further use.
• Protect your eyes or, even better, your entire face (visor).
• If you are mechanically cutting the plant, make sure that no one is standing where they could be hit by the sap or plant debris thrown off during mowing or cutting. Use a knife or round shovel to cut stems and roots.
• Wash tools that have been in contact with sap (pruning shears, brush cutter, etc.).
• Wash your hands and face.

Source : ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux.

For more information on controlling giant hogweed, contact Centre d’information du ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs:

• Telephone: 418-521-3830 (Québec City) or 1-800-561-1616
• Fax: 418-646-5974
• Email: info@mddep.gouv.qc.ca

Ragweed pollen causes hay fever and, occasionally, chronic sinusitis or asthma in people allergic to it. By pulling up or cutting the ragweed down to ground level before the end of July, this will help improve the health of over one million Quebecers who are allergic to ragweed pollen.

Every summer, the City of Beaconsfield mows its parks, green spaces and public areas to cut the grass before it flowers. Curbs are also trimmed by hand using edgers.

Did you know:

• Ragweed has a firm, hairy stem, sharply cut foliage, flowers in spikes at the tips. Its height varies between 5 cm and 1.5 m. Ragweed should not be confused with poison ivy, which causes itching.
• The proliferation of ragweed is a direct consequence of climate change. The best way to reduce the effects of ragweed is to eliminate it from your environment by uprooting, mowing or preventing it from growing.
• Ragweed seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to 40 years. When you pull it out, ragweed must be replaced by a competitive ground cover to prevent the seeds from germinating.
• Seasonal rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergic reaction caused mainly by exposure to ragweed pollen.

For more information, visit: www.herbeapoux.gouv.qc.ca

By-law concerning the application of pesticides
The use of pesticides for esthetic purposes is cause for concern to more and more citizens. The adoption of the provincial Pesticide Management Code in March 2003 recognizes this and imposes restrictions on the use and sale of pesticides. Montreal City Council unanimously passed a pesticide by-law applicable across the island at the April 2004 meeting. Our City Council adopted an ordinance at the meeting of May 4, 2004 specifying that this by-law come into effect immediately and further limiting some of its provisions.

The rule: The use and application of pesticides is prohibited outside buildings on the whole territory of the City.

The use of a biological control agent, as designated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, mineral oil or active ingredients authorized under schedule II to the Pesticides Management Code is permitted except for the control of vegetation.

The exception: The use of pesticides is permitted within a radius of 5 m of food company warehouses and production plants to ensure vermin control, subject to the issue of a permit.

Permits: A temporary pesticide permit is valid for a period of 3 days; the pesticide application must be carried out between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday; Clear explanatory signs must be posted on the site for 72 hours before and after the application, using signs provided by the City.

City Council authorizes the inspector to issue a permit for use of pesticides in case of emergencies and health hazards, in all areas. The use and application of herbicides to destroy weeds is prohibited except for public health reasons.

This by-law and ordinance aim to protect the health of residents while allowing some flexibility in methods to preserve the beauty of our gardens and green spaces. A total ban does not address problems such as wasp nest or ant infestations, but there are several non-toxic solutions available to resolve these types of situations. The Public Works inspectors would be pleased to advise you on the types and uses of ecological products as well as local sources of supply.

Click here to download our   Pesticide Ordinance

Solar energy is energy from the sun in the form of radiated heat and light. The sun’s radiant energy can be used to provide lighting and heat for buildings and to produce electricity. Historically, solar energy has been harnessed through passive solar technologies. Typically, these involve the strategic location of buildings and various elements of these buildings, such as windows, overhangs and thermal masses. Such practices take advantage of the sun for lighting and space heating to significantly reduce the use of electrical or mechanical equipment. Solar energy can be harnessed only during the day and only if the sunlight is not blocked by clouds, buildings or other obstacles.

Today, two active solar technologies that involve electrical or mechanical equipment are becoming more common. First, solar collectors or panels are used to heat water or ventilation air for use in buildings. Second, solar photovoltaic technology uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Source: Natural Resources Canada

Thinking of buying into solar energy? Click here to read an article on this topic published by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

What exactly does a heat pump do?
A heat pump can serve as both a heating and air conditioning system. Some heat pumps can also provide hot water for your home. With our cold winter weather, however, a heat pump cannot meet all your heating requirements. It needs to be combined with a supplementary heating system such as a natural gas or oil furnace. The heat pump is an electrical device that transfers heat from one place to another. At a certain temperature, however, the parallel heating system takes over, when the heat pump is not sufficient. In defrost mode, it can release fresh air into your home.

What is the most popular type of heat pump?
The most popular category at present is the air-to-air or air-air heat pump, which is installed in homes that have a hot air heating system. The less common type is the air-to-water heat pump, which is combined with a hot water heating system.

What should I know before buying a heat pump?

• The operational life of a heat pump varies between 10 and 15 years.
• Your electrical entrance panel must be able to support a heat pump hook-up.
• Some heat pumps are noisy. Before making your selection, verify your municipal by-laws regarding heat pump location and acceptable noise levels.
• The heat pump-boiler combination leads over time to increased maintenance costs because your heating system consists of two separate units.
• When you buy a heat pump, look for the ENERGY STAR® Label.

What are the installation costs for an air-to-air heat pump?
The cost of installing an air-to-air heat pump depends on the type of heat pump and your home’s existing heating system. There will be additional charges if the network of conduits needs to be modified or if you need to upgrade the electrical service panel because of increased power demands. The efficient operation and durability of a heat pump depends primarily on good maintenance, which should be done in the autumn. The compressor is the most vulnerable element. A heat pump consumes less energy than a conventional system, but is more expensive to buy.

What sort of maintenance is required?
Heat pump maintenance begins with cleaning the outdoor evaporator coil with a garden hose, and then cleaning or replacing the air return filter in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Make sure that water, snow and ice on the roof of your house does not fall on the heat pump fan. If the unit is exposed to strong winds, build a windbreak around it.

Does a heat pump consume less energy than other heating units?
Yes. A heat pump consumes less energy than other heating units and costs less to operate. However, it does not produce heat. It extracts air from the outside and pumps it into the house. That’s why it consumes less energy than it displaces. For 1 watt of electricity consumed at an outdoor temperature of 8°C, an air-to-air heat pump releases 3 watts into your house. You therefore get 2 free watts of electricity.

But energy savings in terms of heating are often diminished or cancelled by the additional energy expenditures required for air conditioning during the summer. The rigours of our climate also significantly reduce the performance of heat pumps. If they are installed in homes that are not airtight or are poorly insulated, the energy gains will be even more limited.

Cautionary Note
Expectations about the greater energy efficiency of a heat pump and the money that will be saved must be realistic for certain points have to be taken into consideration:

• climate and geographic location;
• the house envelope;
• the surface area to be heated;
• your consumption needs;
• saving energy is not synonymous with saving money;
• other costs entailed in the purchase of a heat pump;
• the supplementary heating system required.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec

A house that is not airtight can raise your heating bill by up to 15% per year, and can cause premature deterioration of the house due to humidity and dampness. Doors, windows and cracks and fissures should be properly sealed. Caulking and weather stripping are low-cost remedies to such problems.

Draw up a list of air infiltration sites
If you take the time to detect and list places where outside air infiltrates your home, it will help you effectively solve the problem. The inspection service provided by the Agence de l’efficacité énergétique (AEE) du Québec includes a blower door test that pinpoints and measures air entering from the outside. The test also indicates any leaks to the outside, i.e. warm and humid air leaking out of the house.

Detecting air infiltration
By slowly moving a lit candle, a smoke pen or a thin piece of paper along the edges of the walls, floors and ceilings along the perimeter of the house, you will notice an air leak whenever the object flickers. This simple method will give you a good indication of the work to be carried out. Turning on all exhaust fans (kitchen range hood, dryer, central vacuum cleaner, bathroom exhaust fan) will help locate the leaks more quickly and accurately.

Seal leaks from attic to basement
Air that is leaking to the outside can cause condensation problems and damage the insulation and wood framing of the house. Since air leaks tend to rise upward, start by caulking and sealing the top of the house and rooms with the highest moisture content such as the bathroom.

Caulking requires a clean surface
For best results, the joint to be sealed must be clean. Remove any paint, dust and old putty using a putty knife or screwdriver.

Strategic points to inspect when making a house airtight:

• attic access hatch (trapdoor) and ceiling voids;
• entry points for components that run from the ceiling to the attic (wiring,
• plumbing pipes, ventilation ducts, etc.);
• doors;
• exhaust fans (such as kitchen range hoods);
• letter slots;
• the joint between the wall sole plate and the end joists at the outer edge o
• the floors;
• inlets in exterior walls for conduits, wiring and pipes;
• the area drain;
• cracks in the foundation;
• electrical outlets;
• windows;
• chimney.

What can happen if a house is not airtight?
Infiltration of cold, outside air greatly diminishes the comfort of your home and increases your heating costs. As for warm inside air escaping from the house, it is humid air that can create condensation problems inside the envelope. It can damage the insulation, produce mold and cause the wood framing to start rotting.

Air tends to leak through the following weak points in the envelope:

• the joints where the exterior walls meet the foundations, the floors, the ceilings and the brick wall backing tiers;
• the joint where the backing tiers meet the insulated ceilings;
• the joint where a door or window frame meets the exterior wall, and the joint between the glass and the window frame;
• wherever wires or pipes run through exterior walls and insulated ceilings (ceiling lights, electrical outlets, light switches, exhaust fans, fresh air intakes, plumbing pipes or the main electrical service panel).

How can I detect air leakage?
Hear are two methods for detecting air leaks.

Flicker test
This simple method consists of slowly moving a lit candle, smoke pen or a thin piece of paper along the inside walls at the weak points mentioned above. The flickering flame or smoke, or the trembling sheet of paper, indicates an air leak.

Blower door test
This is a more sophisticated method. A blower door panel is used to create artificial depressurization inside the house so as to simulate high wind conditions. The air penetrates through holes and cracks in the house, which makes it possible to identify the specific points of air infiltration.

What are the rules to follow to ensure an airtight house?
Install the air barrier material in seamless, continuous fashion to prevent any passage of air through the building envelope. A lack of continuity in the air barrier will allow cold air to penetrate the insulation, which will diminish its insulating capacity.

Install the vapour barrier material in continuous fashion on the warm side of the insulating material. The vapour barrier prevents humid air and moisture from penetrating colder zones. Without the barrier, the humidity could cause condensation and mold to form.

Seal the perimeter of any object (ceiling lamp, electrical outlet, light switch, fan, dryer outlet, fresh air intake, electrical entry conduit, plumbing entry pipe, etc.) that runs through either the air barrier membrane or the vapour barrier membrane to ensure their integrity.

When choosing a sealer, keep the specific nature of the site to be caulked or sealed and the climate conditions in mind. Also take into consideration the cost of the sealant, as well as its resistance, adherence, elasticity and ease of installation.

Start by caulking and sealing the interior in order to stop leakage of warm air to the outside. Then continue sealing leaks from the outside to prevent rain water from infiltrating into the exterior walls.

Install weather stripping around doors and windows.

Improving air tightness of foundation walls
A cracked or damaged joint between the concrete foundation walls and the wood framing is often the cause of direct infiltrations which increase heating bills and reduce the comfort of your home. During construction, it is relatively easy and inexpensive to place a compressible sheet under the foundation sill to prevent the entering of cold air from underneath the ground level floor.

It is possible to correct that shortcoming in an existing house, but it calls for careful attention. Start indoors by sealing each joint with foam insulation. If you are doing major repairs to the exterior cladding of the house, seal the cracks between the concrete and the wood with the same type of sealing product before installing the new siding.

Once your house is airtight, it’s time to insulate the top part of the concrete wall and the edge beam to prevent any direct contact between cold air and the wood framing. A range of different materials provides satisfactory results. Glass fibre batt insulation is the easiest to apply. Cut the insulation to the exact size required and place the pieces into position loosely, without packing them too tightly. Cover the insulation with a polyethylene vapour barrier and seal the joints of the membrane with the appropriate adhesive tape. You can also use styrene foam insulation, but it must be covered with a fire-resistant material.

Source: Agence de l’efficacité énergétique du Québec