December 18, 2007
Kingston, Ontario votes in favor of a pesticide bylaw
With a resounding 10-2 council vote, Kingston has become the latest municipality to pass a pesticide bylaw.
"The time has come for this community to do what other communities have done and protect the health of its residents ... I don't support waiting."
Councillor Vicki Schmolka
The Kingston Whig Standard newspaper editorial commented; "what the 10 councillors effectively said with their votes is that there has been enough scientific doubt cast on chemical pesticides that their use should be restricted..." To read the full story, please click here.
The bylaw comes into effect in October 2008, and existing lawn bowling greens and golf courses are exempted until 2017.
CHO congratulates Kingston's City Council for having voted in favor of the health of their citizens by implementing a bylaw.
November 20, 2007
Russell Township passes pesticide bylaw
CHO Congratulates Russell Township, located just outside of Ottawa, for passing a pesticide bylaw. The details of the bylaw can be viewed here. Russell is now the 136th municipality to join the growing list of progressive municipalities that have enacted pesticide bylaws that seek to protect public health and the environment.
September 24, 2007
Ontario provincial parties' election statements concerning a province-wide cosmetic pesticide ban
The Liberal Party's news release can be read here.
The NDP's news release can be read here.
The Green Party's statement can be read here.
The Progressive Conservative Party has yet to release a statement.
September 21, 2007
Ontario Provincial Election Update
During last night's televised Ontario leaders debate, Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty stated that he wants to ban the cosmetic use of lawn pesticides. Watch the video clip here.
City of Ottawa councilor Alex Cullen wrote yesterday to Mr. John Tory asking him to support a province-wide ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides. According to councilor Cullen, the only provincial leader who has so far not publicly stated what his party's position on cosmetic pesticide use is PC's John Tory. See party promises on pesticides from 2003 - click here.
Meanwhile, Alex Cullen issued a media release referencing an OraclePoll survey whose results show that 61 per cent of those who identify themselves Progressive Conservative (PC) supporters favor a ban. While 69 per cent who consider themselves Liberal favor a ban, while 73 per cent of NDP supporters favor a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides.
August 30, 2007
Ontario Liberal Party promises to implement a province-wide pesticide ban
The
Globe and Mail and
CBC News reports today that Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty promises to implement a province-wide ban on lawn and garden pesticides, if the Ontario Liberal party is re-elected on October 10th. Premier McGuinty cited health and environmental risks of synthetic pesticides as justification towards implementation of such a ban.
CHO applauds a move towards eliminating the cosmetic use of pesticides in the province in Ontario, provided the proposed legislation is as strong or stronger than the Province of Quebec's
Pesticide Management Code. Any province-wide pesticide restriction must avoid inclusion of
Integrated Pest Management (IPM), as IPM is the pesticide industry's tactic for maintaining the status quo and/or weakening proposed local pesticide bylaws.
CHO advocates using least-toxic strategies and products for lawns and gardens that are generally recognized as being safe, based on sound agronomy. See our
quick tips:
Additional links:
Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA)'s media release - click
here Ontario Provincial Election - October 10, 2007 -
Wikipedia
August 13, 2007
Organic Solutions for a Pesticide Free Ottawa
The Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA)'s conference has been changed to a new date of October 24th. The conference includes beginner and advanced organic horticultural workshops, a panel discussion entitled “Why Ottawa Needs A Strong Pesticide Bylaw”, networking with Ottawa area organic landscaping professionals, information on organic services & products, and an opportunity to learn about OLA. For more information, click here.
June 26, 2007
Town of Markham adopts a strong pesticide bylaw
Markham's city council voted unanimously today in favor of a pesticide bylaw that will protect Markham residents from the unnecessary use of lawn pesticides. It will come into effect January 1, 2008.
"With the passage of this bylaw, Markham has taken another major step in environmental protection. By regulating the non-essential use of pesticides, we will help protect our physical environment and the health of the Town's residents."
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti
City council wisely rejected the pesticide application industry's failed PR pitch of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and instead relied upon strong independent medical and scientific evidence that clearly shows pesticides pose unacceptable health and environmental risks.
There are now 129 municipalities across Canada that have implemented pesticide bylaws. The City of Ottawa unfortunately lags behind, and desperately needs to catch up to these municipalities that have implemented pro-health bylaws restricting the use of pesticides.
For further information:
Media Release from Markham - June 27, 2007
http://www.markham.ca/Markham/Departments/NewsCentre/News/070627_Pesticide.htm
Pesticide bylaw approval close - June 23, 2007
http://www.yorkregion.com/article/32422
Majority want to phase out pesticides - June 20, 2007
http://www.yorkregion.com/article/31993
June 21, 2007
Number of acute pesticide posionings in Canada exceeds 6,000 people per year
The David Suzuki Foundation released a report today titled 'Northern Exposure: Acute Pesticide Poisonings in Canada' which tallied data on pesticide poisonings gathered from provincial and regional authorities covering nine of the 10 provinces. In addition to the shocking number of acute pesticide-related poisonings, the report concludes that Canada operates an ineffective system for tracking and monitoring acute poisonings, and most importantly, fails to sufficiently protect its citizens from the adverse health effects of pesticides.
According to Gideon Forman, executive director of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, "the numbers are shocking and it is very worrisome that almost half of the victims were under six years old."
Dr. Robin Walker, former chief of neonatology at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and a leader in last year's unsuccessful push for a bylaw to restrict cosmetic pesticides in Ottawa, noted in the Ottawa Citizen that such issues are urgent in Canada, arguing that regulations here are "not rigorous," especially when it comes to assessing the potential effects of chronic, low-level exposure to pesticides.
For further information:
Thousands of Canadians poisoned by pesticides each year
Report finds 2,800 children victims of acute pesticide poisoning annually
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/latestnews/dsfnews06210701.asp
The David Suzuki Foundation "Northern Exposure: Acute Pesticide Poisoning in Canada" Report can be downloaded by clicking here.
Thu. Jun. 21 2007 by CTV.ca News Staff
' Half of pesticide poisonings are children: report'
Thu. Jun. 21 2007 by Globe and Mail
Pesticides poison 6,000 Canadians a year, report says
Thu. Jun. 21 2007 by Ottawa Citizen
Pesticide poisonings 'shocking'
May 22, 2007
Environmental Sensitivities Voluntary Registry
The City of Ottawa has set up a registry to notify people with environmental sensitivities of adulticiding for West Nile Virus near their homes. For more information, please click here.
May 14, 2007
Free Seminar: Why and How to Have Healthy Landscapes
WHEN: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: In the Manotick Arena - MAP
TOPIC: Scientists and health professionals speak about the impact of pesticide use on our environment today: Are pesticides really linked to rising rates of asthma, allergies, sterility and cancer? For more info, please see: seminar
April 27, 2007
Community Assocation Declares the Glebe Pesticide-free
The Glebe Community Association has passed a declaration that the Glebe is to be pesticide-free. Residents of the Glebe are hoping that their stance on pesticides will motivate other neighbourhoods to press Ottawa City Council to ban the cosmetic use of the chemicals. Virginia Carver, chairwoman of the environment committee, said the symbolic gesture reflects the frustration that Ottawa is not among the more than 125 municipalities in Canada with a pesticide ban in place.
The Glebe Community Association (GCA) is one of the largest community associations in Canada. The GCA has nearly 3,000 members, giving it a powerful voice when community issues are being considered.
For full story, please click here.
March 29, 2007
72% support a pesticide bylaw in Ottawa
72 per cent of Ottawa taxpayers support a bylaw to phase out the use of toxic lawn pesticides according to a poll released today by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Support for a pesticide bylaw is up from 61.9 per cent in 2002. In addition, 79 per cent indicated that lawn pesticides are a public health issue, while only 17 per cent said pesticides are a property-rights issue. Eighty-four per cent also believe lawn pesticides threaten the environment which is up from 77 per cent in 2005. Approximately 70 per cent of the people surveyed who live in rural areas believe pesticides present a threat to the environment, human or animal health. The poll was conduct by Oraclepoll Research Limited between February 28th and March 3rd. The margin of error is 4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
To view the Canadian Cancer Society's news release on the poll, please click here.
For more public opinion polling information, please check out CHO's Fact Sheet:
Pesticide Polls and Surveys Across Canada
March 1, 2007
71% of Ontarians support a provincial law prohibiting lawn and garden pesticides
A January 2007 survey conducted by Oraclepoll Research for Pesticide Free Ontario (PFO) and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) found that 71 per cent of Ontarians support a provincial law prohibiting lawn and garden pesticides.
According to an article in the Globe and Mail on February 26, 2007, supporters of a Ontario-wide ban, similar to Quebec's Pesticide Management Code, come from all parties. "Whether people are Conservative or Green, it's still a majority," Gideon Forman, Executive Diretor of CAPE said. "It shows it's not a partisan thing,"
The poll results can be downloaded by clicking here.
For more public opinion polling information, please check out CHO's Fact Sheet:
Pesticide Polls and Surveys Across Canada
February 25, 2007
PMRA's Dicamba Review now based on just three references
In the latest expedited review of lawn pesticides, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has published its proposed re-evaluation of the herbicide dicamba (one of the common active ingredients in weed and feed formulations and consumer lawn application products, such as "Killex"). The PMRA review can be viewed by clicking here.
It is interesting to note the PMRA's limited list of references for the proposed dicamba re-registration. Originally, the PMRA's dicamba review, briefly posted on PMRA's website, cited six references (view this version by clicking here). However, as of this date, the review now cites only three references (view the revised version by clicking here).
None of the references are from peer-reviewed journals. None of them discuss human health effects of the pesticide. None of the seven articles in PubMed exploring links to cancer are included, especially not the most recent - a large 2006 study linking dicamba to lung and colon cancers. This study can be viewed by clicking here.
Dicamba is another herbicide (in addition to 2,4-D) that is contaminated with dioxins, but the PMRA does not measure these in commercial products, and is requiring registrants to submit limited analyses (only some forms of dioxin) of chosen samples (the level of contamination is determined by conditions of manufacturing, so the company knows which samples will contain lower levels).
Public comment on the proposed dicamba re-evaluation closes on April 20, 2007.
February 12, 2007
Town of Oakville passes a strong pesticide bylaw
A clear majority of Oakville Town Councillors voted 9 to 3 in favor tonight for protecting Oakville citizens from the unecessary use of synthetic lawn pesticides. Public support for the pesticide bylaw is strong, as indicated by a recent public opinion poll conducted by The Logit Group during the second weekend of February 2007. The polling information is available by clicking here.
Full implementation of the pesticide bylaw will take place 10 months from now, allowing for the industry and public to adapt to the preferred organic approaches of lawncare maintenance.
Oakville is now the 126th Canadian municipality to have placed restrictions against the cosmetic use of lawn pesticides (source). Meanwhile, the City of Ottawa desperately lags behind these progressive communities which place human health and ecology first and foremost.
January 25, 2007
P.E.I. Controls Domestic Pesticide Sales - Moves Pesticides Behind the Counter
Starting March 1, 2007, the Province of Prince Edward Island will require retailers to place domestic pesticides behind the counter in an effort to control sales. "It's like a drug store. There's over-the-counter and ones you have to get from a pharmacist," said Environment Minister Jamie Ballem. Full story here.
P.E.I.'s action follows Quebec's Pesticide Management Code that safeguards consumers by requiring behind the counter sales of domestic pesticides (Chapter III, S. 27).
Some major lawn & garden retailers have already taken positive action and are responding to widespread public concern over the unwanted exposure to these toxic lawn chemicals. RONA and Loblaws are two examples of Canadian companies that are doing so. Loblaws was the first major retailer to cease sales of synthetic lawn and garden pesticides in 2003. (source).
RONA has also taken an industry leading stance by providing consumers with pesticide-free alternatives via their Botanix Plant Protection Centre (PPC). The PPC concept is to "integrate the new Quebec government regulations governing pesticide sales and usage, as well as risk prevention for health and the environment." RONA's Botanix PPC service extends throughout Québec, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
If your local lawn and garden retailer is still selling synthetic pesticides, ask them why they aren't following the lead of Loblaws and RONA.
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