Possible Hamilton peanut ban

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It may be a tough nut to crack, but the city is being asked to look at banning peanuts at public facilities. The request is being made by the parents of a little girl with serious nut allergies.

9 year old Fiona Thompson loves the Hamilton Tiger-cats, but the grade 3 student is seriously allergic to peanuts which means it isn’t safe for her to attend major public events.

“It makes me feel scared because of the way it surrounds me and even though my mom brings my epipen and everything, I still get really scared.”

Today, Fiona and her mother went to Hamilton City Hall asking council to consider banning peanuts and peanut products at Tim Hortons field and all other public facilities.

“I know you can’t accommodate everybody, but it’s something that is affecting more and more adults and children on a daily basis. When I was growing up there was barely anybody with allergies now all of a sudden 8 epipens in a classroom of 30 students, that’s a big number.” said Fiona’s mother Melissa.

Council agreed to ask staff to look at the feasability of dealing with all allergies and with having epipens available at all public facilities. “Are there things that we can do that when people have these kinds of reactions? That they have some avenue to get medical treatment beyond their own personal resources.” said Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

Fiona’s mother knows that her family is asking a lot but she says they are ready for the backlash. “It’s not bubble wrapping my child. My daughter’s eyes blow up like golf balls from just touching the product. People can think what they want, I’m just advocating for my daughter.”

And if the peanut ban does go through Fiona would be happy because she loves the Ticats but can never go.