Cosmetic Pesticides Ban

"Dear Friends, I encourage you to support and sign this petition. I strongly believe that this is a matter of public health policy. From the Canadian Cancer Society, to Physicians for the Environment, to our own City Medical Health Officer Dr. Graham Pollet, and many others, the evidence showing the danger of pesticides is certainly strong enough to invoke the precautionary principle. As a City Councillor, I will bring present this petition to London City Council as we continue to work towards a cosmetic pesticide ban by-law." -Bill Armstrong (Ward 4, City of London)

Bill C-225, a Private Members Bill introduced by my NDP colleague Pat Martin (Winnipeg-Centre) is a step towards protecting public health, but it is not the only step that needs to be taken. The City of London and municipalities throughout the country have important steps they must take in achieving this goal as well. -Irene Mathyssen (Member of Parliament, London-Fanshawe)

(Please note that your address is a required field to be a valid petition to the House of Commons)

PETITION TO
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED,
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA.


We the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada,

Draw the attention of Members of the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled, as well as the Council Members of the City of London to the following:

THAT many chemical pesticides have been shown to be harmful to humans and domestic animals.

THAT chemical pesticides have been shown to have effects on the environment and ecosystems well beyond the original area of application.

THAT use of chemical pesticides for home and recreational applications tend to utilize significantly heavier application rates than agricultural use.

THAT any advantage of such use of chemical pesticides is outweighed by the health and environmental risks.

THAT many municipalities across Canada have undertaken proactive measures to protect citizens and the environment from the effects of chemical pesticides through by-law enactment.

AND THAT Bill C-225 would place a moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides in the home and garden and on recreational facilities such as parks and golf courses, until scientific evidence showing that such use is safe has been presented to Parliament and concurred in by a parliamentary committee.

THEREFORE your petitioners request or call upon the HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED, AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA,

TO recognize that human and environmental health should take precedent in legislative decision-making as well as in the product approval processes in every jurisdiction in Canada.

TO enact legislation banning the use of chemical pesticides for cosmetic purposes until rigorous independent scientific and medical testing of chemical pesticides and parliamentary review of results is conducted for both existing and new products.

TO enact legislation applying the precautionary principle in regard to restricting future allowable usage, in order to minimize risk to human and environmental health.