Pesticide-Free CRD

Call to Action: Pesticide Use in British Columbia : 

Call to Action: Pesticide Use in British Columbia

Your Voice is Needed:Upcoming Calls To Action : 

Your Voice is Needed:Upcoming Calls To Action Saanich Council will soon be voting on a bylaw to ban the cosmetic/non-essential use of pesticides. Other CRD municipalities considering bylaws. The BC Government will be conducting consultations on a province-wide ban on the sale and use of cosmetic/non-essential pesticides.

Take ActionSpread the Word Stay Informed : 

Take ActionSpread the Word Stay Informed

Non-Essential/Cosmetic Use of Pesticides : 

Non-Essential/Cosmetic Use of Pesticides Pesticides: All ‘cides’ (herbicides, fungacides, insecticides etc). Non-essential/ Cosmetic Pesticide Use: Pesticides used for the purpose of enhancing the appearance of lawns, gardens, trees, shrubs, and recreational facilities.

Harmful Effects of Pesticides : 

Harmful Effects of Pesticides Pesticides pollute our land, water and air. Linked to both adult and childhood cancers (Canadian Cancer Society). Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of pesticides.

Are you Concerned? : 

Are you Concerned? Is beautifying our lawns and gardens worth the risk, especially when viable alternatives exist?

A Growing Movement : 

A Growing Movement Over 150 municipalities in Canada and 24 in BC have passed bylaws banning the cosmetic use of pesticides. Ontario and Quebec have passed legislation. BC Government Speech to the Throne (summer 09): will consult with public on pesticide restrictions.

The Case for Pesticide Legislation : 

The Case for Pesticide Legislation 76% of residents in the CRD support legislation that would ban the use of non-essential/cosmetic pesticide use(Ipsos Reid Poll 2007). 77% of British Columbians support legislation that would ban the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides (Ipsos Reid Poll 2008). 85% of British Columbians would try using alternatives to pesticides (Ipsos Reid Poll 2008). Approximately three-quarters of British Columbians believe that pesticides have a negative impact on their health, and similar numbers are concerned about environmental impacts (Ipsos Reid Poll 2008).

The Case for Pesticide Legislation continued…. : 

The Case for Pesticide Legislation continued…. Viable alternatives to pesticides exist. Businesses are already shifting to non-toxic alternatives Home depot, Rona and Loblaws have phased out the sale of cosmetic pesticides.

Education is Not Enough : 

Education is Not Enough Research on pesticide reduction shows that education alone is not effective. A bylaw, complimented by a strong education campaign is by far the best approach (Centre for Pollution Prevention, 2004).

TAKE ACTION : 

TAKE ACTION Saanich residents: Write or call Mayor and Council and ask them to pass a bylaw. Thank Saanich for their leadership on pesticide reduction. No exemptions except when threats to human health or sensitive ecosystems are present and no viable alternatives exist.

Spread the word : 

Spread the word Email Facebook Twitter Blogs You Tube

Stay Informed : 

Stay Informed Join Facebook and Twitter to learn about other municipalities in CRD and about provincial consultations. Visit our website (www.pesticidefreecrd.org)

Slide 14: 

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. Barack Obama

Take Action, Stay Informed, Spread the Word : 

Take Action, Stay Informed, Spread the Word Thank-You Pesticide-Free CRD www.pesticidefreecrd.org