I couldn’t help but giggle when I heard about it. Back in January, a proposal was made to place beehives on the roofs of municipal buildings—and then promptly defeated. From an environmental standpoint, though, it was a pretty interesting idea. The decline of the honey bee population is a serious issue, so I can definitely see the appeal of using municipal facilities to help combat that problem.
Of course, there’s always a reason behind every proposal, and David Tomlinson’s motion to place beehives on top of the town building must have had its rationale. Naturally, I wanted to understand the thinking behind it, so I dove into some research. I searched and searched, and honestly, I’m still searching for the solid reasoning. The Auroran even reported that there wasn’t a particularly compelling reason given. But at least we know the declining bee population is an urgent issue, and that’s likely what drove David’s motion in the first place.
That said, I do agree there are valid concerns. Placing beehives on the roof of the town building—or any building in Aurora—does come with some risk. Public buildings, in particular, bring up a whole new layer of considerations. Unlike private property where the owner has more control, town facilities require a lot more oversight, risk management, and safety precautions.

On the other hand, I once came across a story in the Toronto Star about honey bee queens being blocked at the border. It was surprising to learn that honey bee queens are being imported into Canada, particularly in Alberta. This highlights just how serious the decline in the bee population has become. In some regions, the local bee population simply isn’t sufficient to meet pollination needs, so importing queens from other areas has become a practical solution. However, this approach comes with its own challenges—mainly the risk of introducing pests or diseases that could harm local bee populations. Still, it underscores the urgency of the situation and the ongoing local and global efforts to safeguard the survival of bees.
“Alberta imports about 60,000 queens a year, at about $20 to $23 each. Queens lay between 1,500 to 2,000 eggs a day, so any delays have a “huge domino effect”” Source: Toronto Star Article
The fact that bees are being imported specifically to pollinate hybrid canola plants adds another layer to the issue. Canola crops require bees for pollination, and with the decline in bee populations, there’s a growing demand for importing bees. However, this raises ethical concerns, especially when you consider that canola oil has faced criticism for its health effects. The situation becomes even more complicated when you realize that bees are being brought in primarily to serve a commercial purpose, often for crops tied to industries with questionable health impacts.
It’s a tricky dilemma: on one hand, we depend on bees to maintain biodiversity and support our food systems, but on the other, they’re being used for crops that may not be the healthiest option for humans in the long run. It’s a cycle where both environmental and human choices are intricately interconnected.
“Of the 240,000 colonies in Alberta, about 60,000 are contracted out for hybrid canola seed production, he said. Renting a colony costs between $120 to $150 for a summer, he said. Once the seed is planted the wind takes care of pollination.” Source: Toronto Star Article
Curious if there are beehives in Aurora? Just drive south on Bayview Avenue, past Wellington, on the east side. I’d always catch a glimpse of these white boxes in my peripheral vision while driving by, until one day I stopped and realized they were beehives. Sooner or later, I’ll find out more!

COMMENTS
Marvin said: March 8, 2012 at 11:51
“Nope, bees don’t belong on public property.”
Lorraine said: March 16, 2012 at 12:07
“Interesting subject Anna. When I was visiting in California last year, specifically the San Joaquin valley, I was educated during the blossom time about the bees in the field. They were “rented.” It was a shocking discovery for me to find out how far these bees had travelled-virtually across the united states. Their owners follow the blossom trail – so to speak. I felt sorry for these bees in a way. They were working hard – then packed up- then back on the truck. No wonder they are in declining numbers.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: March 21, 2012 at 19:11
“Lorraine, the bees and the hummingbirds too. Nature amazes me everyday. Thank you for sharing this story, kind of sad that it has to come to renting bees.”