 |
|
 
Weed Out Pesticides! Do you use pesticides in an attempt to improve the appearance of your lawns or garden? Think again.Researchers have found that pesticides can be associated with serious illnesses, including cancer, damage to the immune system, and neurological problems. Children are particularly vulnerable. With safer alternatives available, this is a risk we can – and should – do without! That's why the David Suzuki Foundation is working to ban both the sale and use of so-called “cosmetic” pesticides. Ontario and Quebec have introduced provincial bans, and PEI is moving in this direction. There is great promise for similar bans across the country.
With provinces leading the way, the federal government should follow! Read the David Suzuki Foundation’s statement (.doc) calling on Parliament to end the sale of lawn and garden pesticides Canada-wide (April 21, 2009) Read the David Suzuki Foundation report Pesticide Free? Oui! to learn about how to develop strong provincial pesticide regulations. Province by Province UpdatesQuebec
The Province of Quebec was the first to ban lawn and garden pesticides. Now, Dow AgroSciences LLC (“Dow”) intends to challenge the Quebec ban under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The David Suzuki Foundation and Équiterre are working with legal counsel at Ecojustice to vigorously defend Quebec’s ban on lawn chemicals. Read the briefing on the Dow case: English French Victory! Starting April 22, 2009, more than 250 chemical pesticide products will be banned in Ontario, Canada's most populous province. The ban eliminates an unnecessary source of chemical exposure and will benefit both human health and the environment. Read the press release. The Ontario ban would never have happened without thousands of others like you, who used the David Suzuki Foundation website to tell government officials the places we live, work and play should be free of needless chemical pesticides. Your actions go beyond making Ontario the second province in Canada to ban lawn and garden pesticides. Now is the time to grab this momentum to ban pesticides in other provinces. Read highlights from the new regulations. See details on the Ontario Ministry of Environment web site. Prince Edward Island The government of Prince Edward Island has announced it's intent to ban lawn and garden pesticides, starting in 2010. Send a note of congratulations, and encouragement to make the ban a strong one. New Brunswick The good news: A recent public consultation garnered widespread public support for province-wide prohibitions on lawn and garden pesticides. However, government has not yet announced what direction they will take. Send a note of support for a strong ban in New Brunswick. Here's an opinion piece from our Health and Environment Policy Analyst on the current situation in New Brunswick. Read the David Suzuki Foundation input to the New Brunswick public process. British Columbia Banning lawn and garden pesticides took another major step when a wide range of BC mayors and councillors passed a collective resolution asking the provincial government to implement a province-wide ban. The support was overwhelming--only a single delegate voted against the motion. Read this CBC news article for more. The David Suzuki Foundation has joined other organizations to support a province-wide ban on needless pesticides. Read the joint statement. Read the April 20th, 2009 press release (.doc) But government has not responded with a plan. Let BC lawmakers know that you want a ban on lawn and garden pesticides. Alberta Alberta has announced that “weed and feed” pesticide-fertilizer mixtures will be banned starting in 2010. This is a step in the right direction, but the government is so far resisting a more comprehensive ban. Send a note to the Alberta environment minister and Premier now, letting them know that it's time for a comprehensive province-wide ban.
Read Pesticide Free? Oui! to learn about how Quebec's cosmetic pesticide legislation works, how it can be improved, and how it can be a model for pesticide laws in other provinces. The truth behind industry generated myths about provincial pesticide bans. Background Information: David Suzuki explains why his garden is free of chemical pesticides. Tips to make your own garden pesticide free. View the David Suzuki Foundation’s submission to committee (June 9th, 2008) and briefing note (June 16th, 2008) outlining our concerns. The David Suzuki Foundation's comments on Ontario's draft legislation. (May 22nd, 2008). The David Suzuki Foundation's comments on Ontario's cosmetic pesticide ban to the provincial government. (Jan 31st, 2008) Joint statement of 15 health and environmental organizations in support of Ontario-wide ban. (January, 2008) Northern Exposure: Acute Pesticide Poisonings in Canada. This study published by the David Suzuki Foundation reports 1600 cases of acute pesticide poisoning in Ontario in a year, more than half involving children under the age of six. Pesticide Literature Review by the Ontario College of Family Physicians: a systematic review of human health effects associated with chronic pesticide exposure. Fifty pesticides registered for use in Canada are banned in other countries. Read more in The Food We Eat. News releases--
|
|
Provincial Bans
