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Toronto considers lifting ban on backyard chickens

The rules surrounding backyard chickens vary across the country with only a few major Canadian cities allowing them. Brian McKechnie / Global News

Toronto city council is considering a pilot project that would allow residents to raise chickens in their backyards.

The proposal comes as part of a motion to review the city’s list of prohibited animals.

At the moment, it’s illegal for Toronto residents to own chickens.

A survey included a city staff report filed last May suggests lifting the ban on chickens could be a popular move.

Ward 5 councillor Justin Di Ciano says chickens provide many benefits beyond fresh eggs, including supplying fertilizer and even cutting down on backyard bugs and household food waste.

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“It’s all about self-sustainability, and you’re going to fight factory farming, if you know, you’re conscious about that, which I certainly am.”

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LISTEN: Toronto city councillor Justin Di Ciano joins the Tasha Kheiriddin Show

Toronto previously debated allowing backyard chickens in January 2012, but opted against it in the end.

Several Canadian cities, including nearby Brampton, Ont., Vancouver, and Niagara Falls, Ont., currently permit residents to own chickens.

WATCH: Seniors knit woolly winter sweaters for cool chickens

Click to play video: 'Seniors knit woolly winter sweaters for cool chickens'
Seniors knit woolly winter sweaters for cool chickens

With a file from AM640

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