Dryden city council isn’t prepared yet to ban de-icers or bubblers.

A by-law was presented to council Monday night.

Councillor Ritch Noel feels it’s important to get a legal opinion on the by-law first.

“For us, I believe, to say we’ve exercised due diligence, and been fair to both those who’ve presented and to the opponent, I think that we would be negligent if we didn’t receive a proper legal opinion,” Noel told Dryden council Monday night at their open meeting.

Mayor Jack Harrison agrees and says he would feel more comfortable getting a legal opinion on the by-law first.

“This is a bit of a precedent.  This would be the first ban on a de-icer in Ontario, so I think we should get a legal opinion to see if we actually have jurisdiction.  I know it’s good authority the MNR believes we do, but I don’t think that good enough to proceed with the by-law.”

Council has been told that according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, the city has the jurisdiction to dictate what can be placed on a shoreline, like docks or de-icers.