Idling bylaw in drive thru’s to be enforced

One of the longest serving mayors in Canadian history is nearing the end of her term. But, true to form, it appears that Hazel McCallion, will not go quietly. McCallion caused a stir Wednesday — when council members “thought” — she was on a campaign to stringently enforce Mississauga’s no-idling by-law.   Apparently — they were somewhat hazy, on the details.

Hazel McCallion has never been idle in her life. So it’s no surprise that she would have an issue with drivers who leave the engine running, when they are waiting for someone, or more specifically, when they are using drive-thru services. McCallion long ago opposed the licencing of drive-thrus in Mississauga, but lost that battle. A recent meeting with city staff however, left the impression that McCallion was ready to spearhead a crackdown on idling motorists, with stiffer enforcement. not so — says the mayor — and today, she set reporters straight: “All I said at council, and I was really joking. Years ago, I dealt with drive thru’s, and I opposed it and there were other members of coucil at opposed it. But in a majority, they got approved. So in no way did I suggest that I wanted it enforced. I said it’s kind of contrary for us to have an anti-idling bylaw — and at the same time approve drive thru’s.”

In case you’re wondering — Hamilton too, has a “no-idling” by-law. It’s been on the books since 2007 — and the fines attached to it are pretty stiff — up to five-thousand dollars upon conviction.