Leamington is going ahead with building new housing, but it’s not for people. On Tuesday night, council discussed a $640,000 plan to build habitat for chimney swifts, a threatened bird species that’s been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the town’s former high school on Talbot Street West. The building is scheduled to be demolished, but the chimney can’t come down unless a replacement habitat is built first. It’s the law, and council knows it, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it. “You could build a pretty nice home. You could house some people who are facing housing precariousness with an expenditure like that,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “And here we are building a place for birds?” The chimney swift is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation. The small, fast-flying bird migrates between Canada and South America each year and relies on older chimneys like the one at the old high school for nesting and roosting. According to Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the main threats to the species include habitat loss and declining insect populations, which make up their food supply. Insecticides may be playing a role in both. The birds have been listed as threatened in Ontario since 2009. That status means they’re not endangered yet, but could be, if steps aren’t taken to protect them. “Chimney swift and its habitat are protected in order to support its conservation in Ontario,” ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a statement to CTV News. Leamington is planning to build three new habitat towers along a public walking trail near Oak Street, or could face a million dollar fine. One tower will match the 17-metre height of the school’s existing chimney, and two smaller towers will offer additional nesting options. The site will also include benches, native plants, and signs explaining the project to the public. All of it must be built by the end of 2025 to meet the terms of a federal permit. “When you’re weighing in the importance of creating habitat for migratory birds or housing individuals who need a roof over their heads, in my estimation, the human housing is more important,” said Mayor MacDonald. She says the town recently requested $300,000 from a funding partner to hire more social workers to deal with homelessness and is frustrated by how quickly and strictly the chimney swift rules are being enforced in comparison. “It just seems to be an unfair requirement at this point in time when we’re dealing with a human crisis,” she said. “We’re not against the environment. We’re not against taking care of endangered birds. It’s just... this requirement seems quite heavy-handed.” “We have to do it,” she added. “We’re plugging our noses… before we do it.” Local residents are also expressing frustration. “That’s a lot of money just to preserve the birds,” said Delvin Maxwell. “Some of that money would do well with the homelessness here in Leamington.” “It’s a waste of money,” added Joe Testani. “We’re having problems in this town already, the homeless, the drugs, everything. And we’re spending it on a bunch of birds?” “That’s crazy! To spend my money on that for birds? Come on,” he said. “It’s better to spend it on the homeless. At least help somebody out. Somebody or something. Anything.” Still, the project has to move forward. The town plans to monitor the new site for up to five years to see if chimney swifts start using the new towers. If they do within the first three years, the monitoring period can end early. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
