Ban Would Protect Public Health and Environment
TORONTO – The McGuinty government is beginning the first stage of consultations with Ontarians on how to shape legislation banning the cosmetic use of pesticides.
A Notice of Proposal has been posted to the Environmental Registry inviting the public to provide initial comments. The registry is at www.ebr.gov.on.ca, registry number 010-2248. At the same time, the ministry will seek input from health and environmental groups, agriculture, golf courses, municipalities, the pesticides industry, retailers and others.
“There is growing concern about the potential harmful effects of these products on human health and the environment, and growing concern among medical professionals and ordinary Ontarians demanding action,” Environment Minister John Gerretsen said. “We said we would ban the use of these products for cosmetic purposes and we’re keeping that promise.”
The public will be invited to comment on the proposed legislation within the next couple of months.
“Just as we replaced a patchwork of local bylaws when we banned smoking province-wide, a cosmetic pesticide ban would create a single, comprehensive law for all Ontario communities that would better protect our health and the health of our kids,” Gerretsen said.
The proposed legislation would make Ontario a leader among Canadian jurisdictions who have taken action to ban or restrict cosmetic pesticides. A cosmetic pesticide ban is one component of the government’s commitment to take action to protect the environment and the health of Ontarians from toxic chemicals in air, water, land and consumer products.
Contact information for media:
John Steele
Communications Branch
(416) 314-6666
Contact information for the general public:
416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/
www.ontario.ca/environment