Don't abandon Regina's proposed cosmetic pesticide ban!
Pesticides have been linked to acute and chronic health problems in children and adults, including cancer, reproductive and neurological disorders. Pesticides also pose a risk to our environment, including the quality of our water supplies, and the health of aquatic and soil life.
Municipalities and provinces across Canada have responded by adopting pesticide reduction bylaws, and there are now pesticide bylaws in over 170 municipalities.
Unfortunately, Saskatchewan municipalities are currently without any restrictions on the use of cosmetic pesticides, despite the fact that Saskatchewan has the highest household use of pesticides in garden and lawns in Canada. The city of Regina is among the top three cities (including Winnipeg and Saskatoon) for pesticide use with almost half of households using pesticides on their lawns and gardens.
As a Regina resident and small businessperson, I am compelled to let our municipal leaders know that as a community, we care more about the health of our children than about the profit of the business sector.
On Thursday, June 28 at 5:30pm, the Environmental Advisory Committee will meet again to abandon its previous recommendation to adopt bylaw banning cosmetic pesticides. Please show your opposition in any or all of the following ways before June 28:
1. Sign this petition
2. Share the petition widely
3. Come to the meeting of the EAC on Thursday, June 28, at 5:30pm at Henry Baker Hall, Main Floor, Regina City Hall
4. Voice your opposition by writing to EAC Secretary Elaine Gohlke (EGOHLKE@regina.ca) and copying both Mayor Pat Fiacco (PFiacco@regina.ca) and your City Councilor (for more information on contacting your Councilor, go to http://root-and-branch.ca/2012/06/24/dont-abandon-reginas-proposed-cosmetic-pesticide-ban-4/)
5. VOTE in this fall’s municipal election, and speak to candidates about this issue