Canada: Green thumb senior refuses request to remove balcony garden
New West’s Antonio Vieira told to remove plants due to ‘balcony cleanliness’ and to maintain a ‘uniform look’
By Meera Bains
CBC News
Jul 31, 2020
Excerpt:
Antonio Vieira’s balcony garden is flourishing for the sixth year in a row, but instead of appreciating the simple joys of the harvest, he is caught in a dispute over the garden’s esthetics.
Vieira, 73, said he received a letter from Martello Property Services Inc. on July 24 citing “balcony cleanliness,” which asked him to remove all plants taller than his balcony railing.
“I feel bad, I cried. It’s all wrong telling me to get rid of my plants,” said Vieira.
Vieira explained his plants are his hobby and his joy.
“We all, Portuguese immigrants, like to have plants. I have Roman beans, the tall ones. I have Roman beans and tomatoes, the taller ones. The shorter ones are Portuguese herbs for tea.”
He doesn’t understand why he’s been told to clear out the plants. Vieira said his suite faces the back of the building and he hasn’t received any other complaints.
