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Saskatoon

Gov't & Regulatory Affairs

Latest News on the Initiatives your Sign Association is Taking

Updated: Jan 2012
Current Legislative and Regulatory Issues

Update Date Region Details
Jan 2012 City of Saskatoon

Increase in permit fees

At the Annual General meeting for the Saskatchewan Sign Association a Chapter of the Sign Association of Canada it was discussed that the City of Saskatoon was increasing their sign permit fees.    The previous fees of $10 per $1,000 value has now changed to:
$100 for signs located in Sign Groups 1, 2 and 3
$225 for signs located in Sign Groups 4 and 5
$750 application fee for Digital Signs  (Does not apply to Time / Temp)

 

Jan 2012 City of Kamploops

Letter of Appreciation for our help

The BC Chapter of the Sign Association of Canada worked extensively with the City of Kamloops and their review of Electronic Message Centres.
David Atkinson from the BC Chapter was instrumental in assisting the City with the development of its regulations as well as providing various studies and background information.

At the Recent UBCM conference in Sept 2011, the BC Chapter had a booth where the Sign Association was able to field questions and offer suggestions and services to a vast array of municipalities that dropped by the Booth.

The BC Chapter welcomes all inquiries pertaining to municipalities from all parties.  Municipal officials to customers, we are here to help!

Attached is the letter from the City of Kamloops.

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Jan 2012 CIty of Toronto

2012 Sign Permit Fee Increases

As of Jan 1 2012 there are new sign permit fees in Toronto.

Attached is the new fee schedule for signage.
These fees are increased only the the Cost of Living rate established by the CIty.

 

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Jan 2012 Ministry of Transportation

Letter of Thanks from MTO

For the past 2 years, the Ontario Chapter of the Sign Association of Canada has been working extensively with the Ministry of Transportation to revise its sign bylaws.   To that end, there have been many successes which have benefited our industry tremendously.

One item that was a constant issue which had not been resolved was the issue of the highway expansion and re-classification in northern Ontario.  These rural areas which in the past benefited from being identified as bush country were permitted signage along certain highways which would not be permitted in other areas of Ontario. This was due to the fact that the highways were less travelled and the areas were distinct in their environs.  With the expansion of the highways to four lanes and 100km per hour the Ministry automatically re-classified these as Class 1 which meant that the bush country exemption could not be applied. 

We were able to; through the formation of a grass roots initiative; harbour support and gain a powerful voice that was able to demonstrate that the environs had not changed and that the classification of bush country should remain.

This grass roots initiative was able to secure the involvement of Local, Provincial and business officials.  Here is a partial list of who were involved:

Northern Advertisers Association of Ontario (NAAO) – focused on letter writing campaign.
Sudbury Chamber of Commerce - Full support. Instrumental in access to the Ministers Office.
North Bay Chamber of Commerce - Full support. Organizing meeting with Nipissing MPP.
Sudbury MPP, Rick Bartalucci.  He helped open the Minister of Transportation’s door.
Vic Fedeli (past North Bay Mayor). Tabled the issue at the Conservative Caucus meeting.
Muskoka MPP, Norm Miller. In support of keeping the existing billboards on Hwy 11.
CFIB – letter of support
Meetings with local Municipalities: Powassan, Central Almaguin Economic Development Association (Cover Sundridge, South River, Strong, Joly & Machar) & Burk’s Falls.
Meeting with MPP Klees Conservative Transportation Critic.

After extensive work, the Ministry of Transportation considered our request and amended its bylaws to allow the continued use of these signs.  They rescinded the orders to remove that had been issued in 2010 to the owners of the signs.

A hearty congratulations is sent out to all who generously donated their time and effort to this cause.

The new MTO Regulations and details can be found at the MTO Web site here:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/engineering/management/corridor/signs.shtml
 

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Jan 2012 Environment Canada

Recent Visit by Environment Canada

On Jan 26th2012, Environment Canada visited our offices to continue the discussions begun more than 4 years ago on the impact of the new 0% mercury containing products importing regulations and our industry.

In 2007 a study on Atmospheric Mercury Emissions was conducted and it was found that about 27% was related to Mercury-Containing Products use and disposal.  In 2008 there were 235 million lamps sold in Canada using 2.1 tonnes of mercury.

Working with the Sign Association of Canada, Environment Canada asked us to survey our members and determine the risk areas to our industry.  Following those studies, we were successful in securing exemptions for products that our industry uses.

The next phase involves the establishment of stewardships and EPR standards for the sale of, recycling of and recording of lamp use in Canada by our industry.   Our suppliers will be required to record and file with the Environment Protection Agency all sales and distribution of lamps sold.   This is far better than a ban on importing which would have effectively crippled our industry.

A new definition is being introduced.  “Producer”.  A producer is anyone who manufactures a lamp containing mercury (such as Cold Cathode or Neon) or is the FIRST importer of a lamp containing mercury.  Producers will be required to register and file records of sales of lamps.

EPR standards will need to be developed by those purchasing lamps from Producers.  These standards will outline how a mercury containing lamp is handled and recycled.  Programs and education courses will follow.

If interested in more information on the continued work that the Sign Association of Canada is doing with respect to mercury, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We continue to work closely with Environment Canada ensuring the best interests of our industry.

Dec 2011 City of Toronto

Electronic Message Centres Lighting Study

The City of Toronto conducted a study to evaluate the impact of Digital LED boards vers regular billboard signs or paper boards.

This lighting study concludes that Digital LED boards are less of an impact than traditional paper boards.

Read the report by clicking the attached link.

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Nov 2011 City of Calgary

Update on EMC's

Tim Pedrick, Tony Kwan participated in a stakeholders meeting with the City of Calgary on Tuesday Nov 1st.   Terra Fisher from Daktronics also participated.

This was an important meeting as it was a meeting dedicated to On-Premis sign manufacturers.  This helped to demonstrate the differences from 3rd party signage.

With respect to EMC's, Terra was able to clearly explain, demonstrate and answer questions pertaining to Light output, hold times etc.

All agreed that this was an amazing step forward and the committee looks forward to continuing to work with the City of Calgary.

Oct 2011 Town of Osoyooss

Revisions to the Sign Bylaw

On Sept 28th, the BC Chapter had a booth at the Union of BC Municipalities convention. The opportunities presented to the Association was the ability to meet and demonstrate to a large contingency of BC Municipal officials the services of the Sign Association and to be able to offer assistance in drafting of regulations.

The first municipality to take us up on this offer was Osoyoos. On Oct 11th, David Atkinson and Cy from Five Star Permits met with the Town on behalf of the BC Chapter to begin the process of discussion and assistance.

This is a work in progress but it is the beginning of what can be a real offering to this association on behalf of its members.

Sep 2011 City of Toronto

Mandatory Paperless Submissions as of Nov 7 2011

Toronto Building Mandatory Electronic Sumissions

Starting November 7, 2011, the Sign Bylaw Unit will be moving to a fully electronic service.

All documnets including forms, reports, specificaitons, calculations and plans will be required to be submitted in electronic format.

This can be done in person via re-writable DVD, or
By email to: signbylawunit@toronto.ca

Permits will also be issued electronically.

Details can be found at:
http://www.toronto.ca/building/elec-submission-guidelines.htm

The official PDF notification is also attached.

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Mar 2011 City of Calgary

City of Calgary Bylaw review and EMC's

Working closely with the Alberta Sign Association, we drafted a letter to the City of Calgary with respect to their bylaw work and offering our assistance, co-operation and library of resources to assist in the drafting of the proposed regulations.

As printed in the Calgary Herald the City of Calgary decided in Council not to proceed with their interim restrictions on EMC’s in favour of working with the Industry in developing more comprehensive regulations and bylaws.

The City of Calgary has set up an information web page and area where you can sign up to join their mailing list and blog with the City: www.Calgary.ca Centre City Sign Bylaw

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