BC Govt Promotes IPM

"Safe. Effective. Responsible.
Ask about IPM".

BC Ministry of Environment
brochure and website.

No IPM - Cancer Society

"Integrated Pest Management
(IPM),
or the use
of pesticides
‘as a last resort’
to deal with
weeds and insects,
should
not
be included
in cosmetic
pesticide legislation."

Canadian Cancer Society
BC and Yukon.

Ont Govt - Kids Are at Risk

"Using pesticides on our lawns and gardens
is unnecessary and harms
our environment
along with the health of
our families and pets.

As kids grow, their small
bodies can be more sensitive
to the effects of pesticides.

And because they spend
a lot of time playing outdoors,
they have a greater chance
of coming into contact
with harmful pesticides.

That’s why Ontario has banned the use and sale of pesticides for cosmetic purposes.

This ban replaces any municipal bylaws. It’s the same
all across the province.

That means anywhere you live in Ontario, you, your family and
the environment are protected".

Ontario Government
Going Pesticide Free website.

Ont Ban Coalition Groups

These 15 health and
environment groups
advocated for Ontario's
April 2009 ban:

CAPE
Cdn Cancer Society - Ont Div
Cdn Environmental
  Law Assoc
Children’s Hosp of Eastern Ont
David Suzuki Foundation
EcoJustice
Environmental Defence
Learning Disabilities
  Assoc of Cda
Ont College of Family Physicians
Ont Medical Assoc
  – Pediatric Div
Ont Public Health Assoc
Organic Landscape Alliance
Pesticide Free Ont
Prevent Cancer Now
Registered Nurses’
  Assoc of Ont

Are you affiliated
with any of these groups
through family? work?
health issues?

Find out how
your Ontario connection
was successful
and use the same approach
to help get BC's ban.

For why these groups
wanted an Ontario ban,
click here.

Source: Organic Landscape Alliance.

Ont Govt Listened

"The McGuinty government
believes
the use of pesticides
to control pesky
weeds and insects
for purely cosmetic reasons
is an unnecessary risk
to our families and pets,
especially when you can have
a healthier lawn and garden
without chemicals. 

We have listened
to medical experts –
like the Canadian Cancer Society –
who have made
a convincing case
for reducing our exposure
to pesticides,
particularly children
who are generally
more susceptible
to the potential toxic effects of pesticides. 

The ban is part of
the McGuinty government’s
commitment
to protect families,
especially children
from pollution and toxic chemicals
through tough new environmental laws. 

The provincial ban overrides municipal pesticide bylaws, protecting all Ontarians,
not just those in some communities.
 
It also establishes
one clear set of rules,
which makes it easier for Ontario businesses to follow."
 
Ontario Ministry of Environment website.

Earth Day 2009 is Good

Earth Day this year is a particularly good day for the environment, and Ontario families, especially children.

By banning the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides,
we’ve eliminated the unnecessary risk posed by cosmetic pesticides and made Ontario a healthier place.”

John Gerretsen
Minister of the Environment

Ontario Government
April 22, 2009
Ban Announcement.

First Anniversary Sucess!

"The ban on
cosmetic pesticides
is part
of the McGuinty government's
commitment
to protect children
and families
from pollution and
toxic chemicals
through tough
new environmental laws

Over the past year,
Ontarians have also
been doing their part
by using healthier
products and services,
and reducing
the use of pesticides
around their homes,
parks and playgrounds.

Ontario Government
April 21, 2010 News Release.

Make BC Pesticide Free!

The Canadian Cancer Society
wants the BC Government
to pass legislation in 2010
for a "no IPM"  ban
on the sale and use of
cosmetic pesticides.

Watch their
Make BC Pesticide Free! video.

Take action! now.
Ontario's 2009 Ban

Ontario's ban set a new Canadian standard on how Government can protect citizens and the environment from the unnecessary risk of harmful pesticide exposure.

Ontario became Canada's second province to ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides on April 22, 2009. See "Ontario's Pesticide Free" top right sidebar. (Quebec’s Pesticide Code was passed in 2003).

BC is NOT Ontario . . . No BC Political Will for Ban
BCers need to know that there are three important differences between Ontario's ban experience and what is happening in BC . . .

  • Our BC Liberal Government is silent on supporting a provincial ban.

    In contrast, the Ontario Liberal Government followed through on a very public Sept 2007 election commitment.

    Three months was the time it took for the Ontario Government to consult and decide . . .

    from January 2008 when the public was asked to comment on a pesticide use ban until April 2008, when the Government announced it would ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides in the spring of 2009.
  • The BC Ministry of Environment's consultation process asked about "reducing pesticide use".

    In contrast, the Ontario Government asked about how and when a ban should be passed.

Here's more on Ontario's consultation process . . .

Liberal Election Ban Promise

In the fall 2007 election campaign, the Liberal McGuinty Government promised to pass a cosmetic pesticide use ban.

This was publicly announced in the Liberal Party's Sept 24, 2007 News Release and Backgrounder.

On April 22, 2008 the Government introduced the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008 (Bill 64) to ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides throughout Ontario.

Two months later the bill passed and received Royal Assent on June 18, 2008.

Regulation 63/09 became law 10 months later on Earth Day April 22, 2009.

Highlights of Ontario's prudent ban include . . .

  • IPM is not a significant part of the ban as IPM is considered a volunteer, industry-driven practice. 
For the first time, under the ban, Ontario has IPM rules but only for limited, exempted use. (Ontario does not have separate IPM legislation).
  • Pesticides cannot be used for cosmetic purposes on lawns, vegetable and ornamental gardens, patios, driveways, cemeteries, and in parks and school yards.
There are no exceptions for pest infestations from insects, fungi or weeds. Safer, lower risk pesticides and other alternatives must be used.
  • More than 250 pesticide products cannot be sold and over 95 ingredients cannot be used.
These restrictions include Weedout and Killex herbicides, Later’s outdoor insecticides and Weed N Feed herbicide/fertilizer mixtures of 2,4-D, Dicamba and MCPP.
  • Pesticides with the active ingredients Glyphosate and Glufosinate (in Roundup and Wipeout herbicides) are generally prohibited but can be used for plants that are poisonous to touch (poison ivy).
  • The provincial ban overrides local pesticide bylaws and creates one set of rules across Ontario.
Ban Limitations include . . .
Ontario's ban is considered to be a comprehensive and progressive law, with some limitations:
  • The provincial legislation overrides local bylaws.

    Existing bylaws are no longer valid. Local governments cannot pass bylaws with stricter rules.

    Quebec’s Pesticide Code allows for stricter local laws to further restrict pesticide use. Quebec's bylaws can include golf courses.
  • Exempting Glyphosate (RoundUp) and Glufosinate for use on poisonous plants will be hard to enforce. Use of these products for cosmetic purposes will likely continue.
  • Licenced landscaping companies must post warning signs but signs are not required for residential use.
Ban Supporters
Many groups supported Ontario's ban, from medical experts, grass roots community and environmental groups to the organic landscaping industry and retail suppliers.

Supporters included . . . 
  • medical experts - Canadian Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), Canadian Cancer Society - Ontario Division, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), City of Toronto's Medical Health Officer, Ontario College of Family Physicians, Ontario Public Health, Registered Nurses' Assoc of Ontario.
  • environmental & health groups - Canadian Environmental Law Assoc, David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, Pesticide Free Ontario, Prevent Cancer Now.
  • organic landscaping industry - Organic Landscape Alliance, Turf Logic.
  • retail stores  and suppliers - Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Rona, Wal-Mart.
The Government's April 22, 2008 Backgrounder announcing the proposed legislation quotes 15 supporters (see right sidebars for some of these supporters).

The coalition of 15 health and environmental groups that advocated for an Ontario ban are listed in the "Ont Ban Coalition Groups" left sidebar.

Ont Government Listened
The Ontario Government "got it" and listened to medical experts . . .

The Government publicly acknowledged it was convinced by the Canadian Cancer Society - Ontario Division that children need to be protected from pesticide exposure. (See "Ont Govt Listened" left sidebar).

The Government listened and went beyond the Liberal Party's Sept 2007 election promise as  the ban . . .  
  • Includes urban and rural centres (not only urban areas as originally announced);
  • Includes the sale and use of pesticides (not only use as originally announced); and
  • Was implemented within a year of introduction of draft legislation (not phased-in over 3 years as originally announced).

Ont Govt did NOT Listen
The Government did not listen to those who wanted golf courses and turf facilities included in the ban, or those who wanted more restrictive local bylaws to remain effective.

Public Consultation
Ontario's 1993 Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) provides citizens with the "right to know" about government actions effecting the environment.
 
Public consultation was done by Ministry of Environment (MOE) staff through three on-line Environmental Registry notices:
  • Jan 18, 2008 policy intent notice   EBR Registry Number 010-2248

    This 30 day comment period was on the Government's proposed ban (the scope of Bill 64, exemptions, restrictions, timing and phasing of legislation).
  • April 22, 2008 legislation proposal notice   EBR Registry Number 010 - 3348

    This 34 day comment period was on the proposed sale and use ban (the draft legislation and list of allowed pesticides).
  • Nov 7, 2008 regulation proposal notice   EBR Registry Number 010 - 5080

    This 45 day comment period was on the draft regulation that would implement the ban (eleven proposed classes, proposed notices and warning signs).
A stunning 15,101 comments were received through this consultation process. (One hundred responses per comment period is "normal").

In addition to seeking comments through the on-line Environmental Registry process, MOE staff held 26 meetings to clarify the proposed legiation and regulations.

These meetings included a broad range of stakeholders across environmental, health, agricultural, golf, turf, retail, manufacturing and production, and municipal sectors.

Three stakeholder info sessions were held by MOE staff in Toronto during the Nov 2008 consultation period to explain the proposed regulation and to answer technical and sector-specific questions. More than 130 representatives attended these sessions.

Citizens (and other stakeholders) used direct contact with their Premier and MLAs to discuss Ontario's proposed ban . . . through letters, emails, phone calls and personal meetings.

On-line Pesticide Free Info
The Ontario Government and MOE staff must be commended for the excellent on-line info that was posted during the public consultation process.

Considerable effort was made to explain the proposed ban and to include all stakeholders in the development of the new rules.

Excellent on-line info explains these new responsibilities to 17 stakeholder sectors.

This helpful info covers commercial operators (lawn care, landscapers and licensed exterminators), homeowners and gardeners, manufacturers, parks and sports fields, retailers, schools and specialty turf facilities.

For homeowners and gardeners, there is additional excellent on-line info about Going Pesticide Free and how to have Beautiful Lawns and Gardens Naturally. (See "Ontario's Pesticide Free" right sidebar).

For more on Ontario's consultation process, see the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's 2008/2009 Annual Report Supplement pp. 46 - 60.

Regulation 63/09
The Regulation sets out the rules for Ontario's sale and use ban.

Provisions include pesticide classifications and exceptions for continued use. These two important provisions are summarized below . . .

Pesticide Classifications
Eleven pesticide classes were established and identify what products and/or ingredients are allowed and those that are not:
  • Class 1: Manufacturing concentrates used to make a pesticide product.
  • Classes 2, 3 and 4: Commercial or restricted pesticides that farmers and licensed exterminators can continue to use for non-banned uses. If the pesticide contains a Class 9 pesticide, it may only be used for an exception to the ban (e.g. agriculture, forestry, golf courses).
  • Classes 5 and 6: Acceptable biopesticides and lower risk pesticides can be used for residential cosmetic pest control.
  • Class 7: Dual-use pesticides (for indoor/outdoor uses) but only for non-cosmetic use. Can be used indoors to kill pests or outdoors for public health or safety reasons, but cannot be used outdoors to kill weeds. Retailers must have information to notify purchasers of use restrictions. In two years,  these products will not be as accessible as they are now (as has been done with cigarettes).
  • Class 8: Banned weed and insect control products, including 2,4-D herbicide/fertilizer combination products.
  • Class 9: List of ingredients banned for cosmetic use. Commercial or restricted products containing these ingredients may still be used by farmers or licensed exterminators by exception.
  • Class 10: List of ingredients for poisonous control. May be used to control plants that are poisonous to touch under public health or safety exception.
  • Class 11: List of biopesticides or lower risk pesticides ingredients. There is no signage requirement for homeowners when using Class 11 pesticides to control weeds and other pests on lawns, gardens, driveways and other areas around the home. If licensed exterminators use these products, a green notice sign must be put on the lawn.

 Exceptions that allow continued pesticide use include . . . 

  • Arboriculture: Licensed exterminators can continue use to protect the health of trees.
  • Golf courses: Are not required to reduce, or phase out, cosmetic pesticides. They must become IPM accredited.
  • Natural resources: With Ministry of Natural Resources approval, for invasive species that may be detrimental to health, the environment or the economy, or to protect a native plant, animal or a rare ecosystem.
  • Public health or safety: Includes plants that are poisonous to touch (poison ivy) and insects that bite, sting (wasp nests), are venomous or disease carrying (mosquitoes and West Nile Disease). Also includes animals, insects or plants that may cause structural damage (termites).
  • Specified Sports fields: For national or international level sports competitions. Once event concludes, pesticide use must end. Areas around the sports fields not excepted.
  • Specialty turf: For lawn bowling, cricket, lawn tennis and croquet turf facilities, if certain conditions met, including IPM.
For more comments on Ontario’s ban, see the David Suzuki Foundation.

For why BC needs a "no IPM" sale and use ban, click here.
Last Updated on Sunday, 27 June 2010 14:47
 
Why isn't BC pesticide free?  Take Action! now.
 


Ontario's Pesticide Free

"We all want
our lawns and gardens
to look healthy and green.

The good news is we can
have great results
without using pesticides.

When we don’t use
pesticides to deal with
common weeds and pests
in our gardens,

it is not only better
for our health
(especially for young children and pets)

it’s also better for
the health of the
entire eco-system:
birds, animals, bees,
butterflies, fish and plants.

For years, people have used organic or natural methods
to grow beautiful lush
grass and safe,
healthy gardens.

In fact, these
tried and true methods
have been
around for centuries —
a lot longer than pesticides".

Ontario Ministry of Environment
Beautiful Lawns & Gardens Naturally website.

Communities in Bloom

“We’re delighted to be
involved in helping Ontarians
achieve a pesticide-free landscape.

Communities in Bloom
is dedicated
to promoting green spaces,
especially in urban settings,
and we’re proud that
our efforts are helping
the environment.”

Lee Rozon, Executive Director
Communities in Bloom – Ontario

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement.

Home Depot Support

"Like our customers, we,
at The Home Depot,
are concerned
about the environment.

We are going above and beyond
government regulations
by working with our suppliers
to develop pesticide alternatives
that are environmentally friendly
and produce excellent results
on lawns and gardens. 

We currently have over 50 natural lawn and garden care solutions in-stock."

Annette Verschuren
President,  The Home Depot Canada and Asia.

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement.

Vulnerable Kids - OCFP

"The Ontario College of Family Physicians solidly supports
a province-wide ban on the
use of cosmetic pesticides.

Our research demonstrates
the many health effects
associated with pesticides.

On behalf of our most
vulnerable patients,
the children of this province,
we are pleased to hear that government has moved
so quickly to develop this important legislation."

Jan Kasperski, CEO
Ontario College of Family Physicians

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement.

Nurses Support Ont Kids

“Ontario children will be better off thanks to this legislation.

We’re also delighted that the government is moving quickly to implement these laws.”

Doris Grinspun, Ex Director
Registered Nurses’ Ass of Ont

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement.

Public Health Support

“The Ontario Public Health
Association is pleased
to see a ban on the
use and sale of pesticides
for cosmetic purposes. 

This enabling legislation is another positive step the McGuinty government
is taking to protect
the health of our children
and our environment.”

Connie Uetrecht, Ex Director
Ontario Public Health Association

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement.

Sustainable Ontario

"The Organic Landscape Alliance
is pleased that
all Ontarians
will be now
be protected
by legislation
that was previously
only protecting those
in select municipalities.

OLA looks forward
to strong
regulations
and an effective
education program
that will
empower Ontarians
to create
healthy
and sustainable
landscapes
with truly
organic products."

Mark MacKenzie, President
Organic Landscape Alliance

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement

Pesticide Free Ont

“Pesticide Free Ontario is delighted with
the swift and decisive action
Premier McGuinty’s government is taking
to protect public health
and our environment,
by introducing legislation
to ban the sale and use
of lawn and garden pesticides.”

Sari Merson
Pesticide Free Ontario

Ontario Government
April 22, 2008
Ban Announcement.

"Banned" Streams Safer

The Ontario
Ministry of Environment's
2010 study on
lawn pesticides
in urban streams and creeks
found an
80% decrease
in three of the
most commonly used
lawn pesticides 
(2,4-D, Dicamba and MCPP)
after the Province's
2009 ban.

Glyphosate concentrations
did not change
due to availability and use.

For study info, click here.