PESTICIDE RESOURCES
Ontario's Cosmetic Pesticide Ban
A provincial ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides takes effect on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. To learn more about the ban click here
UPDATE! - April 2009
As you may know the pesticide legislation is moving through the Ontario Government, this is a major step towrds sustainability. If you are looking for more information on organic landscaping visit the Organic Landscape Alliance website
http://www.organiclandscape.org/en/
UPDATE! - November 18, 2008
You can help make the Ontario ban the strongest pesticide legislation in North America! It’s been over a year since the Ontario pesticide was first promised.
The Ontario government has just now released the regulations setting out details for the new pesticide ban. The regulations are the ‘teeth’ of the legislation.
The proposed regulations are very health-protective, but unfortunately the chemical industry is lobbying hard to weaken them.
We need your help to keep them strong.
Could you take two minutes right now to tell Ontario that you strongly support the new pesticide regulations?
Please click on this Ontario government website link (below)…
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/searchComment.do?actionType=add¬iceId=MTA0OTk2&statusId=MTU3MjYz¬iceHeaderIdString=MTA0OTk2
and make the following comment:
I strongly support the pesticide regulations and hope they will come into effect by spring, 2009. They will help Ontario industry become innovators in non-toxic lawn care, creating economic growth and green jobs. I hope the government will also require golf courses to reduce pesticide use.
IMPORTANT: After inputting your comment, please hit the "SAVE" button to submit it.
Please submit the above comment today – this simple action will help make the Ontario ban the strongest pesticide legislation in North America. Thank you so much!
UPDATE! - May 16, 2008
For many of us who have been working very hard on the cosmetic pesticide issue for many years - this is our last big kick at the can! Can you help us keep the fire hot?! To learn how you can help, click here.
From the office of Premier Dalton McGuinty -- April 22, 2008
"Ontario is moving to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals by banning the sale and cosmetic use of pesticides.
Legislation to be introduced today would make Ontario's pesticide rules among the toughest in North America. It would also replace a variety of municipal by-laws in place across the province.
Studies by public health experts are showing growing evidence of the potential health risk of pesticides, particularly for children.
The ban would likely take effect next spring. It wouldn't affect pesticides used for farming or forestry. Golf courses would still be able to use pesticides, but must meet certain conditions to minimize environmental impacts. Pesticides would still be used for health and safety, such as controlling mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like West Nile Virus." To read more, click here.
NEWS - last updated April 22, 2008
Ontario to ban cosmetic use of pesticides
Ontario's proposed ban on the sale and cosmetic use of pesticides will be the toughest in North America once it becomes law, supporters said Tuesday.
The legislation promises to take effect faster and go further than Quebec's ban. To read more, click here.
Government To Consult On Banning The Cosmetic Use Of Pesticides
Ban Would Protect Public Health and Environment
Government of Ontario
TORONTO, Jan. 18 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is beginning the first stage of consultations with Ontarians on how to shape legislation banning the cosmetic use of pesticides. To read more, click here.
OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
On November 20, 2007, the government committed to a toxics reduction strategy to help protect Ontarians from potentially harmful environmental toxics. The purpose of this proposal is to inform the public of the government's policy intent to implement a ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides, and solicit feedback from the public as the government considers policy options relating to the following: determining the scope of the ban, sale of cosmetic pesticides, exemptions/restrictions, exemptions for golf courses and timing.
This proposal has been posted for a 30 day public review and comment period starting January 18, 2008. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by February 17, 2008 to Robert Bilyea, Senior Policy Advisor, Ministry of the Environment (complete contact details are listed in the proposal). Additionally, you may submit your comments on-line.
All comments received prior to February 17, 2008 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of the Environment if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 010- 2248.
To read the complete policy proposal notice, please click here.
LETTERS
Here is a sample letter from Pesticide Free Ontario that can be mailed or e-mailed directly to Premier Dalton McGuinty, asking him to make good on his election promise to create a Ontario-wide ban on pesticides. For a copy of the letter, please click here.
For more information on the Ontario Liberal promise to “ban the cosmetic use of pesticides across the province,” please click here.
REPORTS
Non-cancer health effects of pesticides: Systematic review and implications for family doctors
Canadian Family Physician • Vol 53: Cctober 2007
An analysis of whether there are associations between exposure to pesticides and four chronic non-cancer health effects including skin disorders, nervous system dysfunction, reproductive outcomes including birth defects and fetal death and genotoxicity, or the ability of a pesticide to cause intracellular damage.
This report concludes that there is strong evidence of association with pesticide exposure for all neurologic outcomes, genotoxicity and four out of six reproductive effects including birth defects, fetal death and altered growth. Exposure to pesticides generally doubled the level of genetic damage as measured by chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes. There was insufficient research to prove the dermatologic effects of pesticides, though research has shown rates of dermatitis were higher among people who had high exposure to pesticides on the job. For more information, click here.
Cancer health effects of pesticides
Canadian Family Physician • Vol 53: October 2007
This report consists of a literature review documenting associations between pesticide use and cancer, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia and eight solid-tumour cancers of the brain, breast, kidney, lung, ovary, pancreas, prostate and stomach.
This report revealed that most studies on non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia showed positive associations with pesticide exposure. Children’s and pregnant women’s exposure to pesticides was positively associated with the cancers studied in some studies, as was parents’ exposure to pesticides at work. Many studies showed positive associations between pesticide exposure and solid tumours. The most consistent associations were found for brain and prostrate cancer. For more information, click here.
Lawn and Order -- If you’re not allowed to spray these chemicals on your lawn, why are they so easy to buy?
CBC Marketplace • October 10, 2007
Seven years ago, the Halifax Regional Municipality passed a bylaw that made it illegal to use chemical pesticides in residential gardens. Dandelion killers, crab-grass killers, mushroom killers, broad-spectrum herbicides and many others were banned. Health activists celebrated, thinking they were seeing the start of a new era. In a way, they were right. Today, 135 Canadian towns and cities have similar bans in place.
But here's the strange thing. Across the country, the flawlessly green lawn remains a common sight. Pesticide products that are illegal to use are still for sale. And, as Wendy Mesley's hidden-camera investigation reveals, some of the country's best-known stores are sending mixed messages. For more information, click here.
LINKS
Pesticide Free Ontario: a coalition of citizen groups connecting on a provincial level to work towards the elimination of urban pesticides.
Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA): a non-profit association dedicated to non-toxic landscaping. OLA is in the business of growing beautiful, healthy lawns, gardens, and parks. A reliable source of organic landscaping information and services, OLA provides educational, networking and research opportunities to professionals and the public.
Healthy Options for People and the Environment (H.O.P.E.): - a non-profit organization in Halton Hills committed to finding healthy solutions to local environmental problems. At present, H.O.P.E. is working on the issue of pesticide reduction by educating the public about natural lawn & garden alternatives.
Last Verified: July 2011