===== A message from the 'toxicscaucus' discussion list =====

Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 20:05:10 -0400
From: Bradford Duplisea
Subject: Pesticide Update ****


WE NEED YOUR HELP...

IT IS TIME TO SPRING INTO ACTION AND TURN UP THE HEAT ON OTTAWA REGARDING PESTICIDES!!!

We have asked Ottawa for some effective action on pesticide legislation before Earth Day...So far, we have been getting great results!!!...The adoption of the priority resolution calling for an immediate moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides by the Liberal Party of Canada is one recent example...

There has been a lot of positive action and momentum to further the cause of pesticide reduction...Much of this is due the to efforts of ordinary citizens doing extra ordinary things...Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to make your concerns know to the Prime Ministers, key Ministers in Cabinet and your local MP.

In the short term, we are hoping that Marlene Jenning's private members bill (C-388) will get to second reading and receive unanimous support by the House of Commons...

We need to keep the intensity level high and continue to fuel this positive momentum and pressure on Parliament...It is time to remind your MP again about our concerns...

Here is how you can help:

ACTION ITEM # 1 - Standing Committee Report on Pesticides & the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)

We are very anxious to hear recommendations from the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development Report on Pesticides & the PMRA...

The Standing Committee Report could provide a vision of hope towards healthier and more sustainable communities...

Therefore, it is very very important that the Standing Committee Report be tabled as soon possible...We are particularly interested to see the items and recommendations that specifically address the issue of the non-essential (cosmetic) use of pesticides in our communities...

Call, fax, write and/or e-mail the Standing Committee, Chair (Charles Caccia), copy the Standing Committee, Clerk (Stephen Knowles)and your local MP...First, complement the Chair on Standing Committee's detailed examination of the current state of affairs with pesticides in Canada but stress that it is vital that the Standing Committee's final report be tabled in the House of Commons as soon as possible...

ACTION ITEM # 2 - Question Period (Opposition Questions)

If you have an opposition MP in your riding please contact them and request that they stand up in question period and ask:

(1) "What is Minister of Health planning on doing about addressing the non-essential (cosmetic) use of pesticides with some effective legislation?"

and

(2) "When can we expect this to happen?"



Contact Info:

Hon. Charles Caccia
Chair, Standing Committee On Environment And Sustainable Development

MP - Davenport
Government of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
Business: (613) 992-2576
Fax: (613) 995-8202
E-mail: caccic@parl.gc.ca


Rm. 353S, Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Canada

Riding Address
1674 St. Clair Ave. W.
Toronto ON M6N 1H8
Canada

Business: (416) 654-8048
Fax: (416) 654-5083



Copy The Clerk

Mr. Stephen Knowles
Clerk, Standing Committee On Environment And Sustainable Development
Government of Canada
Business: (613) 996-1483
Fax: (613) 992-7974
E-mail : knowls@parl.gc.ca

House of Commons
Room 642, 180 Wellington
Ottawa ON 
K1A 0A6

Copy Your Local MP

You can find the contact info for your local MP at:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/sm-mpcur-e.htm

Thank you for your continued support!!!

Marsha Akman
nufisnuf@pubnix.net

and

Mike Christie
mike_christie@attglobal.net
 
Mike Christie
95 Wrenwood Crescent
Nepean Ontario
K2G 5V3 Canada
(613) 228-7499 / bus.
(613) 228-7487 / fax.
mike_christie@attglobal.net / e-mail

PESTICIDE BATTLE REVEALS FRAIL DEMOCRACY
March 24, 2000
The Ottawa Citizen City

Howard Clifford of Lanark writes it is disillusioning to see corporations asking the Supreme Court of Canada to set aside the right of municipalities to ban the use of pesticides. It is hard to believe how anyone not blinded by profit, would not be concerned about pesticide use. A spokesperson for the Ontario College of Family Physicians states that being exposed to many different pesticides over a lifetime represents an unacceptable risk to all Canadian children. Countless other researchers have added their voices of alarm. It is indisputable that Canada has not examined the accumulative effect of pesticides and is one of only two industrialized countries that do not track overall pesticide use.

Most dismaying, says Clifford, is the inherent attack on grassroots democracy. If we cannot democratically govern our local situation, then what hope is there? Many, perhaps most, Canadians wonder whether the opinions of ordinary citizens are listened to by governments. Recently, influential corporations, having privileged access to the Prime Minister's Office, bypassed the Commons environmental committee. The resulting weakened legislation caused three of the more-principled politicians to stand up for the safety of Canadians and vote against their own government. The Citizen reported that the nascent Canadian Alliance planned to raise money from major corporations. Reform party members admitted to being severely limited in running a successful campaign without corporate funding. While it is hardly a startling revelation that wealthy campaign chests correlate with electoral success, where does this leave the ordinary citizen?

Clifford says that the number of multiple-chemical-sensitive people is growing at an alarming rate. They may well be the canaries in the mine, warning us that our tolerance level for living in an increasingly polluted environment is being exceeded.

PESTICIDE-BYLAW DEBATE ESCALATES INTO TURF WAR
March 29, 2000
The Halifax Herald
Steve Maich / City Hall Reporter

According to this story, more than 70 people jammed into local council chambers Tuesday afternoon, some sitting for more than three hours in the aisles and on window ledges for the chance to have their say on proposed pesticide restrictions in the municipality. 

Dr. Robert Strang, medical officer of health for the central region, was quoted as saying, "Our whole community and our whole environment is at risk when we use these products, a complete ban is the only reasonable option."

Tim Tregguno, owner of Halifax Seed Co., was quoted as saying, "Homeowners have the right to care for their property using products that are approved and regulated by the federal government. This decision must be based on fact, supported by science and experience, not emotion."  But, the story says, both sides on the issue of residential pesticide safety point to scientific studies in support of their case. 

City staff have recommended a bylaw that would ban spraying pesticides within 100 metres of homes belonging to people with potentially life-threatening sensitivities. For everyone else, council is considering a mandatory notification system, in which neighbours would be warned before spraying is done.

BANFF RESIDENT WANTS BAN ON COSMETIC PESTICIDE USE
March 28, 2000
Sterling News Service
BANFF - David Hunter, a Banff resident, was cited as telling town council that the town's position in a National Park and its goal of no net environmental impact makes it an ideal place to pilot a program to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides and support a federal bill doing the same, even if a private members bill working through the House of Commons receives no support, adding, "I feel that the town of Banff could benefit from such legislation and should endorse the bill and the concept behind it. 

Furthermore, I believe that the town of Banff should enact a similar bylaw to deal with the cosmetic use of pesticides in protecting the health of its residents."
The story says that the idea got a cool reception from town administration, who said a lot more work needs to be done before the plan can be seriously considered. An administration report was quoted as saying, "Environmental issues in Banff continue to be under the jurisdiction of Parks Canada, and such an initiative would require their support. The legal implications of  such a bylaw in Alberta should also be researched and input from out Environmental Services Department is required." 


“Science is not bad, but there is bad science. Genetic Engineering is bad science working with big business for quick profit against the public good.” 

Dr. Mae-Wan Ho
UK Open University


Bradford Duplisea
 
Cathy Booler
Stewardship Coordinator
Georgia Strait Alliance
#201 - 195 Commercial St.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5G5

cathyb@island.net
www.georgiastrait.org/

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