News Archives for 2005 -- (For current year click here)
December 4, 2005
Organic Lawncare franchises flourishing in wake of pesticide bylaws
New job opportunites are arising as a result of the over 70 Canadian municipalities going pesticide free. Turf Logic is the latest company offering organic lawncare franchises in Canada. Read their press release by clicking here.
November 17, 2005
Supreme Court Rejects CropLife Challenge of Toronto's Pesticide By-law
The Supreme Court of Canada has wisely denied CropLife Canada's leave to appeal in the case CropLife v. City of Toronto (Source). There is no further legal avenue for Crop Life to challenge Toronto's pesticide by-law.
CHO's Media Release can be read by clicking here.
November 15, 2005
Maria McRae implicated in sending out phoney e-mail
A City of Ottawa investigation into email fraud and identity theft has determined that it was none other than Maria McRae who sent a bogus pro-pesticide email that forged Councillor Alex Cullen's email address. It should be noted that Councillor Cullen is in fact a strong supporter of a bylaw that would restrict the cosmetic use of pesticides.
Evidently Maria McRae failed to immediately fess up to Alex Cullen and the public that it was her who sent out the bogus email (was she hoping the truth wouldn't come out?)
Councillor Alex Cullen's has since written an open letter to Maria McRae, stating:
I must tell you that I am doubly disappointed to learn that you, a
council colleague, used my name to author a message you knew did not
represent my position and then, when the matter became public more
than three weeks ago, you did not acknowledge your role in this
matter, neither to me nor to the public.
CHO are equally disappointed in Maria McRae's behaviour. A Councillor must always act in an honest, ethical and professional manner. Of particular concern is the fact that this information was not made public until after the crucial votes on a proposed pesticide by-law.
The citizens of Ottawa deserve better. To read the Ottawa Sun's news item on the Maria McRae scandal, click here. The Ottawa Citzen's can be read by clicking here.
November 11, 2005
Councillor Rick Chiarelli -- Anti-hypocrisy's biggest hypocrisy?
Councillors who failed to keep their 2002 promise of voting for a pesticide bylaw in 2005 should consider enacting the Chiarelli anti-hypocrisy clause upon themselves.
Read full article by clicking here.
November 10, 2005
Ottawa City Council Fails to Protect Public Health by Rejecting a Pesticide Bylaw
Ottawa - Health experts are stunned that Ottawa City Council failed to pass a pesticide bylaw tonight. Ottawa City Council voted 12 to 9 against a bylaw.
"Doctors are deeply disappointed," says Gideon Forman, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. "This is a vote against our doctors and nurses, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and the majority of Ottawa residents."
"City Council accepted industry propaganda over medical science and once again abrogated their responsibility to protect the health of all the citizens of Ottawa," says Dr. Robin Walker, Medical Director of Critical Care at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. "The majority of our City Council today chose political expediency over what is right for the community, and put lawns at the top of their priorities and kids at the bottom."
"Three years ago, Ottawa City Council promised a pesticide bylaw if the $300,000 public education campaign didn't work. I'm shocked that the City of Ottawa has gone against the trend of other municipalities that have already passed pesticide bylaws. It's an embarrassment to the City," says Mark MacKenzie, President of the Organic Landscape Alliance. "Pesticides are becoming less and less necessary as viable organic products and techniques become better understood and more widely used."
For more information:
Dr. Robin Walker, Medical Director, Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario; (613) 737-7600, ext. 2415 (hospital)
Gideon Forman, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment; (416) 306-2273
Mark MacKenzie, President, Organic Landscape Alliance; (613) 224-7336
Nov 10, 2005
The November 9, 2005 Pesticide Bylaw Vote -- Who Voted For What
Those who voted in favor of a pesticide bylaw:
The "Yes" Votes Nine (9). The members of city council spoke eloquently and defended our children's health to the bitter end: Georges Bedard, Michel Bellemare, Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Alex Cullen, Clive Doucet, Peggy Feltmate, Diane Holmes, Peter Hume, Janet Stavinga.
Those who voted against a pesticide bylaw:
The "No" Votes (12).. Eleven (11) The following members of city council sold out to industry interests at the expense of the health of our children: Rick Chiarelli, Diane Deans, Maria McRae. Jan Harder, Glenn Brooks, Gord Hunter, Rob Jellett, Rainer Bloess, Eli El-Chantiry, Shawn Little and Doug Thompson, (plus Jacques Legendre, who voted against a watered down "fig-leaf" bylaw because he felt it was hypocritical to say we are serious about health protection with a meaningless bylaw).
Mayor Bob Chiarelli stated that a strong pesticide by-law will be a part of his election platform and he'll take on any and all challengers starting in Jan 2006.
Click on Action Alert for further details
Nov. 7, 2005
Open letters to Councillors Maria McRae and Rick Chiarelli.
Click here to view.
Action -- Two Rallies:
1) Rally for Rick II ... It's time to tell Councillor Rick Chiarelli, who failed to vote for a pesticide bylaw on Oct. 26 2005, that we demand him to vote FOR a pesticide bylaw at the Nov. 9th, 2005 council -- because our pets and kids deserve to be protected from the unwarranted use of chemical pesticides.
2) Rally for Health
Come join us on Sunday, Nov.6, 2005 at 2pm
At the Hunt Club Community Centre (on Paul Anka Dr. and McCarthy Ave )
Supporting a Phase-out on the Cosmetic Use of Pesticides
We'll tell Councillor Maria McRae that we value our Health and our Kids
We trust CHEO, our Doctors and Nurses
We don't trust the PMRA nor the industry
We expect her to keep her promises and we want her to vote for the Pesticide By-Law proposed by the City.
Nov. 5, 2005
Important Notice
CHO and the Sierra Club of Canada published an Important Notice in the Sat. Nov. 5 2005 issue of the Ottawa Citizen newspaper (page E13). To view the Notice, please click here.
Oct. 27 2005
Council deadlocked -- unable to pass a bylaw - 10/10 tie.
Councillors vote to continue debate on ban in 2 weeks time (for Nov. 9, 2005 Council).
How they voted (Oct. 26 2005) for a bylaw banning the use of pesticides:
For: Georges Bedard, Michel Bellemare, Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Alex Cullen, Clive Doucet, Peggy Feltmate, Diane Holmes, Peter Hume, Jacques Legendre, Janet Stavinga.
Against: Rainer Bloess, Glenn Brooks, Eli El-Chantiry, Rick Chiarelli, Diane Deans, Jan Harder, Gord Hunter, Rob Jellett, Shawn Little, Maria McRae.
Didn't Vote: Herb Kreling, resigned, seat vacant; Doug Thompson, absent.
As for Rick Chiarelli's motion for a referendum on pesticides, it got shot down in flames, 16-4. Clearly the majority of councillors were not impressed with his dismal idea, and viewed it as both a stalling tactic and as an abdication of their leadership duties.
Pesticide Rally Planned for Oct. 26 2005
Attend the Ultimate Demonstration for a pesticide bylaw, 12 noon Wednesday, October 26th, Ottawa City Hall. 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa.
There will be speeches, drumming and singing starting at noon. We will then parade into the Council Chambers to make our presence felt, to show our determination and support for a pesticide by-law for the health of our children!
Oct 23, 2005
Follow the money! 
Public records indicated that Councillors Rick Chiarelli and Diane Deans both accepted 2003 campaign donations from one of Ottawa's largest chemical lawn application companies and voted against the proposed pesticide by-law at HRSSC on October 21, 2005. Maria McRae also accepted campaign donations from this firm. Did this influence their vote ? You be the judge. Click here for full details. Additionally, Clayton Erickson of pro-pesticide website. propertyrights.ca took money too!
Oct. 21, 2005
HRSS Committee Votes in favor of a Pesticide Bylaw
After a short debate yesterday, the Health, Recreation and Social Services (HRSS) committee voted 6-2 in favour of a bylaw effective next January, although charges would not be laid until the middle of 2007. The 2 councillors who failed to protect the health of Ottawa citizens from harmful pesticides were Diane Deans and Rick Chiarelli. The issue next goes to full council for a vote on Oct. 26th.
Oct. 20, 2005
CHO Recommends A Strong Pesticide Bylaw For The City Of Ottawa
Ottawa's Pesticide Bylaw Won't Be Canada's First - So It Should be Canada's Best! To view CHO's Media Release, click here. To read CHO's Oct. 20th 2005 presentation to HRSS Committee, click here.
Oct. 20, 2005
Definition of a flip-flopper? Clayton Erickson and Propertyrights.ca website.
Clayton Erickson, who is involved with the anti-pesticide ban website propertyrights.ca can't seem to keep his story straight. In the 2003 CHO Municipal Candidates Questionnaire, Clayton said he supported a ban for 2005. But now he doesn't -- what a flip-flopper! Read his 2003 email to CHO by clicking here.
Oct. 14, 2005
Physicians Applaud Proposed Pesticide Bylaw
Toronto—The City of Ottawa’s proposed pesticide bylaw has the backing of Ontario’s most respected health authorities, says the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE).
Responding to a City committee report urging a bylaw that would phase-out cosmetic pesticides on urban lawns and gardens, CAPE says such a bylaw is backed by the Ontario College of Family Physicians, the Ontario Medical Association’s Section on Pediatrics, the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and the Canadian Cancer Society.
“Above all, a pesticide phase-out is supported by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario,” said CAPE Executive Director, Gideon Forman. “Never before has such a distinguished group of health institutions supported an Ottawa pesticide bylaw. A lot of councillors will be saying to themselves, ‘If CHEO is supporting a bylaw, so will I.’ ”
Some 70 Canadian communities -- including Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver -- have bylaws restricting non-essential pesticide use.
“Local doctors are just saying that Ottawa children should have the same protection as kids in Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax,” said Forman
Public concern about toxic lawn chemicals has been growing since the Ontario College of Family Physicians released a landmark study in 2004 on pesticides and human health. The study found consistent links between pesticide use and birth defects, cancers, and neurological diseases.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Gideon Forman, Executive Director (416) 306-2273
gideon@cape.ca
Oct. 9, 2005
Serious concerns raised in Parliament over the PMRA and 2,4-D
During a well spoken critique of the PMRA and 2,4-D herbicide, MP Pat Martin said of urban pesticide use:
We want it eradicated from our communities. Let us put public health first before the right of industry to produce these chemicals and the right of irresponsible people to pollute the communities with them. Municipal governments are taking initiatives in Quebec and other places across Canada.... One by one communities are unilaterally passing bylaws regarding the cosmetic use of pesticides, but as a federal government we hear nothing. The silence has been deafening.
We at CHO couldn't agree more with Mr. Pat Martin. The Parliamentary transcript can be read here.
Oct. 6, 2005
Leading Medical Authorities support a pesticide phase-out for the City of Ottawa
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) all support a pesticide phase-out for the City of Ottawa. View the advertisement that appears in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper by clicking here.
Oct. 1, 2005
Prominant doctor supports cosmetic esticide use to be phased-out
Doctor John Howard, who teaches at the University of Western Ontario and practices at the Paediatric Division of London Health Sciences Centre, recently advised Tillsonburg town council that he fully supports a pesticide ban because he is convinced that pesticides are a contributing factor to health problems. Ottawa should heed Dr. Howard's warnings by banning the cosmetic use of pesticides! Read full story by clicking here.
Sept. 28, 2005
Dioxins in herbicides: A primer
A scientific overview on dioxins in herbicides can be read by clicking here.
Sept 28, 2005
City of Vancouver adopts a pesticide by-law!
The City of Vancouver has become the latest Top-Ten municipality in Canada to adopt a pesticide by-law covering both private and public property. Vancouver now joins Halifax, Montreal and Toronto which combined represent 4.4 million people or 52.20% of the total population of the Top-Ten Canadian cities. To learn more about the City of Vancouver's pesticide by-law, please click here
Sept 25, 2005
Top Ten Reasons For Not Using The Herbicide 2,4-D
A document issued by Charles Caccia, Senior Fellow at the Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa, outlines why 2,4-D should not be used. Read it here.
Sept. 10, 2005
Ottawa Conference on Pesticides
The Institute of the Environment at the University of Ottawa, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, Ville de Gatineau and Municipality of Chelsea, are holding a conference on risks of cosmetic pesticides use. Registration for the conference will be from 9:00a.m - 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24th, 2005, followed by concurrent information from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00.p.m., at Fauteux Hall at the University of Ottawa. Closing remarks will be delivered by Dr. Scott Findlay, Director of the Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa from 4:00-4:30 p.m. An evening reception will follow at 4:30 p.m., in the student lounge at Fauteux Hall.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Scott Findlay, Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa 819-827-5246
Anne Simard, Institute of the Environment, University of Ottawa 562-5242
Louise Cerveny, City of Ottawa, 613-580-2424 x 28315
English Press Release here / French Press Release here.
Poster can be viewed here
Sept. 10, 2005
A Case for Revisiting the Safety of Pesticides: A Closer Look at Neurodevelopment
Dr. Theo Colborn latest research paper challenges the protective value of current pesticide risk assessment strategies in light of the vast numbers of pesticides on the market and the vast number of possible target tissues and end points that differ often depending upon timing of exposure. Using the insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) as a model it reinforces the need for a new approach to determine the safety of all pesticide classes. Because of the uncertainty that will continue to exist about the safety of pesticides, it is apparent that a new regulatory approach to protect human health is needed as well. For summary click here.
August 15, 2005
CropLife Canada going to court, once again...
CropLife Canada, a pesticide industry lobby group, is once again going to court. This time, CropLife Canada is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to hear arguments for overturning Toronto's sensible pro-health pesticide bylaw. CropLife Canada is using an argument that farmers are being somehow affected by the bylaw. The Toronto Star has an editorial critiquing CropLife Canada's latest tactic, and can be read here. On May 13, 2005 the Ontario Court of Appeal dismissed CropLife Canada's challenge here along with the City of Toronto's staff report on the decision which can be read here.
August 5, 2005
New Study raises concerns over Roundup herbicide
A recent study of the herbicide "Roundup" presents new evidence that the glyphosate-based chemical is far more toxic than the active ingredient alone. The study is published in the June 2005 issue of "Environmental Health Perspectives", and may be viewed by clicking here.
A fact sheet on Roundup can be read here.
August 1, 2005
Registered Nurses of Ontario support a pesticide ban in Ottawa!
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), the professional association of registered nurses in Ontario, fully supports bylaws aimed at phasing out the use of pesticides for nonessential purposes. Their letter to Mayor Bob Chiarelli and city councillors may be read by clicking here.
The RNAO letter states: "we urge the Council to approve the proposed pesticide bylaw as quickly as possible, as delays raise the unnecessary exposure and health risk."
We at CHO couldn't agree more!
July 27, 2005
The City of London's pro IPM pesticide "bylaw" isn't a proper bylaw!
London's councillor Bill Armstrong accused others of reneging on a promise to ban pesticides and of misleading the public. The councillor noted that "it's a bylaw with no restrictions on pesticides, so it's not a bylaw at all. It's what we already have." Full article, click here.
Ottawa must be careful by not following London's pro pesticide IPM approach. Reasons why London's IPM bylaw is flawed can be read by clicking here.
July 27, 2005
Pesticides make teachers and students sick: Call for a ban on pesticides
The prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) just published a study (Vol. 294 No. 4, July 27, 2005) concluding that "pesticide exposure at schools produces acute illnesses among school employees and students."
Ottawa School board chairwoman Lynn Graham, stated that the Board would support a citywide ban. Meg Sears of CHO noted that "kids continue to be exposed on their way to and from schools, and until you say we're very serious about this issue and it's a matter of public health -- not choice -- diehards won't change." The time for Ottawa to pass a by-law banning the cosmetic use of pesticides is RIGHT NOW.
Sources: JAMA 2005;294:455-465 and Ottawa Sun
July 14, 2005
Pesticides found in blood of newborns
A new report entitled "Body Burden - The Pollution in Newborns", by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG), detected 287 chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborns. Physicians for Social Responsibility stated "it is clear that the developing fetus, infants and young children are particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of pesticides." Scientists blame the presence of the pesticides in the babies' blood on the fact that many of the compounds take decades to break down. The EWG study, "Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns," is available online at: www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/
June 29, 2005
Dr. Robert Cushman urges Ottawa city council to pass a cosmetic pesticide ban
In today's issue of the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, Dr. Cushman writes: "I urge city council to pass a cosmetic pesticide bylaw to be implemented in the spring of 2006. The phase-out would include residential and non-residential lawns and gardens. For something as inconsequential as a lawn, we shouldn't jeopardize people's health."
Full article may be read by clicking here.
June 14, 2005
Gagetown Military Base -- Agent Orange, White and Purple - A Dioxin Legacy
The CBC news has reported that in 1966 the Canadian government, in collaboration with the U.S. government, applied Agent Orange and several other defoliants, including the highly toxic Agent Purple, at the army base in Gagetown New Brunswick. In fact, the use of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D, both herbicides, was widespread throughout the province in the 1950s and '60s - not just at Gagetown. Of special concern was high levels of dioxin contamination in both Agent Orange and especially Agent Purple. These "Agents" were manufactured by some of the same companies that currently produce the weed killer known as 2,4-D.
2,4-D is approved in Canada by the PMRA for use on lawns etc. Does 2,4-D contain deadly dioxin contamination? Well, according to the World Health Organization, 2,4-D is predominantly contaminated with dioxins, including 2 or 3 chlorine atoms (chlorines), although 2,3,7,8-TCDD contamination characterized by four chlorines has also been reported. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), reporting to the World Health Organization, considers 2,4-D to be a possible carcinogen. The PMRA's interim review of 2,4-D has, in our opinion, neglected to adequately investigate dioxin contamination in off-the-shelf 2,4-D products (i.e. Killex, Par III, Weed 'n Feed etc). For more details on dioxin contamination as it relates to 2,4-D, please click here. Is our Canadian government once again trying to hide something?
Additional reading: Ottawa Sun article
May 25, 2005
Study links garden pesticides to Parkinson's risk
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland have discovered that the more pesticides gardeners are exposed to, the more likely they are to develop the degenerative brain disease. They found that people with the illness were more likely to have used pesticides. Amateur gardeners were 9 percent more likely to suffer from the disease than non-pesticide users. Farmers were 43 percent more likely. For details, click here and here..
May 18, 2005
Free Seminars: Gardening Without Pesticides in Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is providing free lawn and garden care seminars during the summer of 2005. For details, click here
May 13, 2005
Ontario Court of Appeal Affirms Toronto's Pesticide Bylaw!
Toronto's pesticide bylaw is perfectly legal according to a judgement by the Ontario Court of Appeal. This important ruling affirms the right for all municpalities across Ontario to protect the health and safety of citizens from harmful pesticides. The Croplife v.s. the City of Toronto ruling can be read by here.
May 04, 2005
Peterborough Council Approves Strong Pesticide By-law
Congrats to the City of Peterborough for establishing one of Canada's toughest pesticide by-laws aimed at protecting human and pet health. The bylaw will prohibit the cosmetic use of pesticides by March 2006. Pesticides will still be permitted in cases where there is a risk to human health and (unfortunately) on golf courses. The Peterborough bylaw can be downloaded here.
April 27, 2005
URGENT ACTION ALERT
Now is the time to tell the City of Ottawa that you want a pesticide bylaw! Click here for more information.
April 26, 2005
New Study: High cancer mortality among municipal pest-control workers
A recent study published in the April 2005 issue of the International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health has found a statistically significant excess of cancer mortality in a population of municipal pest-control workers.
April 25, 2005
2,4-D Submissions by CELA, WWF and TEA. -- Also CCHE.
A joint submission from the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) on the 2,4-D PACR has been posted to the CELA website here.
Also, the Canadian Coalition for Health and Environment (CCHE) submission can be read here
April 23, 2005
Concerned citizens point out major flaws in AgCare's endorsement of Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). One letter writter opines that the PMRA should be more aptly named the "Pesticide Manufacturer's Rubber-stamping Agency." Click here to read the letters.
April 20, 2005
Presentation: Our Children at Risk - Video Viewing and Question & Answer Session
Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Hazeldean Branch, Ottawa Public Library
Description: The Kanata Environmental Network is showing two short videos (/Our Children at Risk /and Lawn and Garden Pesticides: Reducing Harm) to raise awareness about the harmful effects of environmental toxins, including pesticides. Dr. Michèle Brill-Edwards (CHEO / University of Ottawa) will be on hand to answer questions on the issue. Seating is limited. The event is offered free-of-charge, but donations to KEN are welcome. For more information, please contact info@kanataenvironmentalnetwork.com .
April 2005
The Canadian Journal of Public Health opines that public health officials should support a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides.
Summary below:
The Canadian Journal of Public Health (March / April 2005 - page 89-92)
COMMENTARY
Pesticides and Human Health: Why Public Health Officials Should Support a Ban on Non-essential Residential Use
By Neil Arya, BASc, MD, CCFP, FCFP
ABSTRACT
The College of Family Physicians of Ontario recently released a comprehensive report on pesticide exposure and health risk, concluding that various pesticides had adverse health effects. The pesticide industry says that pesticides are "safe" when used as directed because they are studied and approved by governmental agencies. Yet many municipalities, including Canada's three largest, and the province of Quebec have enacted bans on cosmetic use of pesticides, largely in response to health concerns. Reviewing the report, the status of regulation of pesticides and the limitations of studies and of regulation in Canada, it appears that on the basis of evidence available to date, public health officials should support a ban on cosmetic use of pesticides.
Free Presentation: Lawn and Yard Care Naturally - April 20, 2005
Join Canadian Organic Grower, George Bushell, for a free slide show presentation on maintaining a healthy lawn and yard.
Learn how to deal with lawn pests safely. Bring your questions on Wed., April 20 2005 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. to Resurrection Of Our Lord Church, 1940 Saunderson Dr. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Register: 613-731-7338.
March 3, 2005
PMRA's Ridiculous Interim Annnouncement
On Feb. 21, 2005, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) made an interim announcement that the pesticide 2,4-D can be used safely on lawns and turf when label directions are followed. The PMRA is a federal regulatory body responsible for the regulation of pesticides in Canada, within Health Canada. 2,4-D is the most common weed-killer used on lawns, and is one of the pesticide active ingredients to be banned from use on all green spaces across the Province of Quebec.
The public has 60 days, until Earth Day (April 22, 2005), to comment on the PMRA's interim announcement; accessed online by clicking here.
To view CHO's concerns about the PMRA's interim announcement on 2,4-D, please click here.
Ottawa Pesticide Conference Announced for February 28, 2005.
Title: Pesticides: Your Health and the Environment
Time: 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Place: Ben Franklin Place -- 101 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa. Council Chambers.
Free Admission!
Come and listen to a panel of distinguished experts in health and biology discuss the evidence in a series of lively and interesting presentations. Speakers include:
Dr. David Lean; Dr. Cathy Vakil; Dr. Paul Claman; Dr. Scott Findlay; Dr. Colin Pritchard and Ed Lawrence.
Sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society, The City of Ottawa, Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa, and the Allergy and Environmental Health Association.
For more information, click here.
February 16, 2005
87% of Ottawa residents believe pesticides threaten the environment.
Almost 9 out of 10 Ottawa residents would support a ban on the cosmetic use of lawn pesticides on private property, according to a public opinion poll conducted by Oracle. Councillor Alex Cullen said the poll is dramatic evidence that Ottawa residents support a pesticide ban.
Oraclepoll Research president Paul Seccaspina said the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points 19 times out of 20. For further information click here.
February 1, 2005
Peterborough votes to ban cosmetic use of lawn pesticides by March 2006!
Last night, Peterborough council voted 7/9 to reject a committee report which promoted the pesticide industry's flawed Integrated Pest Management (IPM). As a result, city staff have been ordered to develop a pesticide by-law which will take effect March 2006. Mayor Sylvia Sutherland strongly endorsed a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides, stating: "we'll go through some agonies like we did with the smoking bylaw, but we're winning. I don't think any green lawn is worth the health of a person or a pet." To read newspaper article, click here.
Three cheers to Peterborough for protecting citizens against the harmful effects of pesticides! It's time for Ottawa to catch up to the ~70 municipalities across Canada that have implemented pesticide bans!
January 25, 2005
West Vancouver Passes Pesticide By-law
The District of West Vancouver Council yesterday passed a Pesticide Use Control By-law that prohibits anyone from applying "cosmetic" or non-essential pesticides on public or private property in West Vancouver. The by-law, which comes into force on January 1, 2006, also has teeth. "6.2.1. Every person who commits an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine or to imprisonment, or to both a fine and imprisonment, not exceeding $10,000.00." For full article, click here and here.
January 13, 2005
An uncalculated risk
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have demonstrated that isomers - or the mirror-image structures - of some pesticides, although chemically identical, have very different biological and environmental impacts between the two sides. This may have significant implications for risk assessment and research and development directions of new products. For full story, click here.
January 10, 2005
Pesticide Exposure May Increase Parkinson's Risk
People who come into regular contact with pesticides appear to have a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Pesticide applicators had approximately twice the risk of developing the disease. An abstract of the findings may be read by clicking here.
Full Citation: "Pesticides and risk of Parkinson disease: a population-based case-control study" Archives of Neurology" January 2005. Arch Neurol. 2005 Jan;62(1):91-5. [Archives of Neurology] Firestone JA, Smith-Weller T, Franklin G, Swanson P, Longstreth WT Jr, Checkoway H. Department of Neurology, University of Washington, PO Box 359739, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
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