Petition concerning the pest control program for the spruce budworm in Waskesiu

PETITION: TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House to the following:

Whereas the Prince Albert National Park was established in 1927 "to preserve a portion of the primitive forest and lake country of Northern Saskatchewan and to provide for the people of Saskatchewan... a great recreational area";

Whereas the Prince Albert National Park, including the townsite of Waskesiu, are infected with spruce budworm;

And whereas Parks Canada is predicting that, without intervention, seven out of every 10 evergreens will die as a result of spruce budworm infestation;

And whereas the National Park Policy provides that "the manipulation of naturally occurring processes such as fire, insects and and disease may take place when no reasonable alternative exists and when monitering has demonstrated that without limited intervention:

i) there will be serious or adverse effects on neighboring lands; or
ii) major park facilities, public health or safety will be threatened; or
iii) the objectives of a park management plan prescribing how certain
natural features or cultural resources are to be maintained cannot be
achieved";

And whereas the only intervention identified by Parks Canada as being appropriate for tall mature trees as well as younger trees is the aerial application of Bacillus thuringiensis var. Kirstaki (BtK);

And whereas the use of BtK is endorsed as safe by Health Canada and numerous organic food grower associations;

And whereas the Waskesiu Community Council voted unanimously to endorse a spraying program to give the spruce a fighting chance to survive.

THEREFORE your petitioners call upon Parliament to:

i) direct Parks Canada to implement a pest control program for spruce
budworm which includes the spraying of the townsite of Waskesiu with BtK
as soon as practicable; and

ii) provide Parks Canada with adequate resources for this program.