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25 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,A ugust 6,2020 theifp.ca "Working with you face-to-face" EstatEs & trustslegal matters M. Jasmine Sweatman B.A., J.D., LL.M., TEP., C.S., EPC, CPCA Certified Specialist in Estates & Trusts Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Estate Litigation and Administration, Corporate, Real Estate 145 Mill St., Georgetown 905.877.0121 * www.sweatmanlaw.com *Sweatman Law Professional Corporation Our office and team are available to meet and correspond with you for any of your legal needs via phone, conference or video to make sure we are still available and working through these times. ON NOW AT THE BRICK! SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com. Halton Region has updated its smoking bylaw to include public parks throughout the region, along with restrictions on canna- bis and vaping. The regulation was endorsed by regional council during its most recent session. Now, at least three of the local town/city councils in Halton must pass motions consenting to the bylaw for it to come into force. The new rules stipulate that the smoking of tobacco and cannabis, along with the use of e-ciga- rettes/vapes, is prohibited in Halton parks and within nine metres of any entrance or exit of municipal buildings and child-care centres. This will replace the Halton-wide smoking bylaw implemented in 2009, which only restricted cigarette smoking near mu- nicipal buildings. "By including additional products and prohibited places in the updated regional bylaw, Halton residents will be further pro- tected from the harms of smoking and vap- ing," said Halton's medical officer of health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani, in a report to coun- cil. Some of the local municipalities have al- ready implemented their own rules in this regard. Burlington passed a bylaw in 2013 that bans smoking in parks, while Oakville updated its parks bylaw last year to add can- nabis smoking and vaping alongside ciga- rettes, which were already prohibited. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act also bars to- bacco and cannabis smoking and vaping in many areas, including within 20 metres of children's playgrounds and sports fields, along with enclosed public spaces, work- places and restaurant patios. Regional councillors around the table lauded the updates to Halton's smoking reg- ulations. Burlington Coun. Lisa Kearns said this will help protect residents from second- hand fumes from cannabis and e-cigarettes. "It also helps to deter overall use, espe- cially in our youth," she noted. Oakville Coun. Jeff Knoll, a longtime an- tismoking advocate, also touted the new rules. "This is a great next step in the battle against the scourge of vaping that exists," he said. He encouraged his fellow councillors to "name and shame" stores in Halton that sell these products to underage youth. Milton Coun. Zeeshan Hamid asked what can be done to target these stores. Meghani told council about the test shop- per program the health department has that sends supervised youths into stores to at- tempt a purchase of tobacco or vaping prod- ucts. "This (program) is something that does work," she said. "The issue is there's only so much we can do around selling vaping prod- ucts to minors. Vapour retailers are not treated in the same way under the Smoke- Free Ontario Act that tobacco retailers are." She noted that local councillors and Hal- ton Public Health have been petitioning the province for change in this regard. The region has budgeted $40,000 to cover the costs of bylaw signage for all public parks, along with the entrances and exits of child-care centres and municipal buildings. Halton officials intend to enforce the by- law on a complaint basis, with measures such as education, warnings and graduated charging options being used by public health inspectors. COUNCIL NEW HALTON BYLAW WILL BAN SMOKING, VAPING IN PARKS MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@metroland.com Halton's smoking bylaw update includes vaping products. Alexandra Heck/Torstar Leathertown Festival Virtual Edition in Acton on Facebook, Saturday, Aug. 8 -- 6 to 8 p.m. This year's festival in support of Links2Care.ca is all online. Variety show featuring local bands, comedy and other tal- ents. Also on YourTV Cogeco channel 700 from 8 to 10 p.m. All ages | Free. Farmers' Market in downtown Georgetown, Saturday, Aug. 8 -- 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Farm-fresh Ontario produce. CO- VID-19 protocols in effect. All ages | Free. Farmers' Market at Country Heritage Park in Milton, Saturday, Aug. 8 -- 9 a.m. to noon. The Milton market has temporarily moved to Country Heritage Park. In-person and online ordering available. All ages | Free. Legion Fundraiser at the Legion in Milton, Saturday, Aug. 8 -- 3 to 5 p.m. Raising funds to upgrade the facility's flooring. Resident John Robinson will have his back waxed publicly. A fundraising bar- becue will follow. Event is in the parking lot. All ages | Free-will donation plus cost of bar- becue. WHAT'S ON THINGS TO DO IN NORTH HALTON THIS WEEKEND BRYAN MYERS bmyers@metroland.com Emily Hendrikx reaches for a bunch of carrots at her Red Rabbit Gardens tent at the Georgetown Farmers Market Graham Paine/Torstar