Unprecedented coalition of 18 Health and Environment Groups Band Together to Support BC Ban on Lawn and Garden Chemicals

Coalition calls on province to “go for gold” with proposed cosmetic pesticide ban

On behalf of Wildsight and the Canadian Cancer Society, we bring you the attached press release regarding a joint statement that was issued yesterday in support of a BC ban on lawn and garden chemicals. Also attached is the official statement.
 
In addition to this press release, we'd like to share with you some local information regarding pesticide reduction in the Kootenay Region.
 
Momentum in support of pesticide restrictions continues to grow across the Kootenay Region.  Two communities have enacted pesticide bylaws - the City of Nelson and the District of Invermere.  In addition, the City of Kimberley and Town of Golden have passed first reading of pesticide bylaws. The City of Fernie is considering a bylaw and pesticide-free community initiatives are underway in Cranbrook, Rossland and Castlegar. The District of Invermere passed a cosmetic pesticide bylaw on February 24, 2009.
 
“The council showed true leadership,” said Heather Leschied, Wildsight’s Lake Windermere Project Manager. “This bylaw has helped create a healthier environment and community.” Leschied said the bylaw itself didn’t happen overnight. “There was a lot of public education and cooperation since we started the Pesticide Free Columbia Valley coalition in 2007,” she said. The coalition, which includes the Canadian Cancer Society, Wildsight, the District of Invermere, and others, has done several things to get the message across, such as hosting healthy lawn and garden workshops, providing healthy alternatives information to all households in the community, and bringing in expert speakers. The bylaw so far has been very successful and local garden and hardware stores have embraced the movement, providing alternative products to customers.

There is strong local support for pesticide restrictions.  A public opinion poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for the Canadian Cancer Society found that 73% of East Kootenay residents support their local or provincial governments passing bylaws or legislation that would phase out the cosmetic use of pesticides on private and public properties.

For more information and to contact us for an interview please contact:

Heather Leschied, Program Manager
Wildsight • 250-341-6898
heather@wildsight.ca • www.wildsight.ca

Patti Moore, Community Action Coordinator – Kootenay Region
Canadian Cancer Society • 250-426-8916 office • 250-417-6527 mobile
pmoore@bc.cancer.ca • www.bc.cancer.ca