About NoiseWatch
NoiseWatch (formerly Citizens' Coalition Against
Noise) is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to raising public
awareness of the negative effects of noise.
The founder, and former President, Cindy Davidson,
sent a letter to the Toronto Star newspaper's "Have Your Say" column,
requesting people concerned about noise, contact her. Almost 200 people did
just that! Some noise victims agreed to start a group; hence NoiseWatch was
born in November 1994.
In order to ensure maximum effectiveness, we
operate in a neutral manner. We provide information and assistance to anyone
affected by noise pollution. NoiseWatch does not intervene or represent
individual noise cases; instead we will listen, provide information, and send
self-help guides on request. The group has hundreds of local supporters and
many international ones as well. We have a Board of Directors and publish a
yearly newsletter for members.
In listening to people's experiences, group
members realized that the general public's health, use and enjoyment of their
homes, and general quality of life, was suffering due to excessive noise.
Further:
- Excessive
noise exposure is a public health hazard and is just as important as air
and water pollution.
- People
are becoming less tolerant of excessive noise, particularly at home and in
recreational areas.
- Government
officials, landlords, business owners, and the public in general, do not
know how to effectively deal with neighbour noise complaints or large
scale noise problems such as: traffic (air/land), commercial and
industrial noise, recreational noise, and outdoor maintenance, etc..
- The
public in general, and government officials, including police, treat noise
complaints as a low priority item or a non-issue. Many people state that
officials brushed off complaints with "one person's noise is another
person's music".
In the summer of 1995, NoiseWatch undertook its
first media campaign. It was very successful. NoiseWatch was on the front page
of the Toronto Star, July 10, 1995.
The newspaper exposure led to television coverage on CHCH on August 10, 1995
and live radio telephone-in shows; twice on Toronto's CFRB AM, twice on AM 640,
and once on AM 1410 in London, Ontario. In talking to the media hosts, all
agreed that the response from the public was well above average. NoiseWatch was
on to something!
Our Mission
Statement:
"To reduce noise pollution for a healthier
and safer environment."
Our
Goals:
- To
help victims of noise pollution.
- To
inform people about the health hazards of noise pollution.
- To
improve the law and its enforcement regarding noise
pollution.
Current
Activities:
- We
are developing a register of Quiet Products.
- We
are producing "Loud", "Quiet", and "Medium"
cards to be handed out in stores and restaurants that have annoying music/noise
or a pleasant aural ambiance.
- We
are writing brochures on the following subjects:
The Noise Guide (Neighbourhood Noise Self-Help Guide)
Noise and Health
Sound Levels at Concerts and Night Clubs
International Noise Awareness Day
Proposed
Activities:
- We
will be creating a reference list of lawyers, acoustical experts,
mediators, and medical researchers that can help noise victims that call
our help line.
- We
will be preparing more reference lists of Mayors, Councillors, and Ward
boundaries for all municipalities in the greater Toronto area.
- We
would like to develop a Quiet Register to include parks, stores, etc..
- We
would like to research noise by-laws and their enforcement; to develop and
improve on them.
We would be delighted if you would join us!
Please send an e-mail to NoiseWatch for more info at: noisewatch at rogers.com
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Last Updated: 08-Jun-2020
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