Scientific studies have linked pesticide exposure to serious health effects including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological diseases. Children are particularly vulnerable. In one year, Canadian poison-control centres and health authorities reported more than 6,000 cases of acute pesticide poisoning, nearly half involving children under the age of six.
Pesticides also threaten pollinators, helpful insects essential to our food supply. Even small amounts of certain pesticides are known to affect bee longevity, memory, navigation, and foraging abilities.
Nearly 150 municipalities across Canada, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, have taken steps to ban lawn and garden pesticides in order to eliminate one needless source of exposure to toxic chemicals. The federal government also has an important role: all pesticides available in Canada must be registered by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Canada should discontinue the registration of pesticides used solely to improve the appearances of lawns and gardens. Environmentally preferable gardening strategies and products are available!
At least 50 pesticide active ingredients currently registered for use in Canada have already been banned by other countries due to health or environmental concerns. Canada should suspend the use of these chemicals in Canada pending a special review.
Questions for candidates: 1. Do you support a Canada-wide ban on lawn and garden pesticides? 2. Do you agree that Canada should suspend the use of pesticides that have been banned in another country for health or environmental reasons? 3. Do you support establishing a national environmental health tracking system that includes pesticide poisonings?