Calgary to reintroduce fluoride to water following city council vote – Calgary | The Canadian News

The fluoride will return to Calgary’s water following a decision Monday by city hall.

That decision follows a plebiscite question in the October municipal elections that found that 62 percent of Calgarians voted to reintroduce the substance that dental associations say can prevent tooth decay.

The city council approved the reintroduction of fluoride on a 13-2 vote, with only councilors Andre Chabot and Dan McLean opposed.

City officials told the council it would cost about $ 10.1 million in capital costs, with operating and maintenance costs of $ 1 million over the next 20 years. Authorities said it would take 18 to 24 months to complete the work to add fluoride to the city’s taps.

Citing the lack of an informed public to go to the polls on the issue, Ward 10 Coun. Chabot tried to have the decision referred to a city committee, but that measure was defeated 2-13, with only councilors Chabot and Sean Chu in support.

“It would have been better to vote on a speed limit,” added the representative from District 10.

Chabot also expressed frustration that the city has to intervene in an area of ​​provincial authority: medical care.

Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp said she would like to explore the possibility of having a conversation with the province about the government taking a more active role in dental care.

“I would be happy to have that conversation with the province,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “We have tried to have these conversations in various files.”

Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian said she heard from a very informed electorate knocking on doors during the elections.

“What I heard over and over from citizens was less about the merits of pro / against fluoride, but a frustration that we come back to this over and over again,” he said.

In February, the council and previous committees decided to move the fluoride issue to a voter question on the ballot.

A decade ago, the council decided to remove fluoride from the city’s water supply after lengthy debate and a public hearing.

It is the eighth time in 70 years that Calgarians have voted to add the substance to the city’s water.

According to the Alberta Dental Association and College, there is between 0.1 and 0.4 parts per million of fluoride naturally in drinking water.

–With files from Adam MacVicar, Global News