Pair of Canadian Cities Consider Pesticide Legislation

OTTAWA – The Canadian cities of Ottawa and Hamilton may be revisiting legislation that restricts the use of pesticides.

Ottawa City Councillor Alex Cullen says it's time to re-open the debate on banning the use of cosmetic pesticides in the Capital. Cullen says while he's focused on the budget right now, banning the cosmentic use of pesticides is often on his mind.

Cullen says he's not making any promises, but he says we could see a pesticide ban re-introduced before the spring.

Councillor Jacques Legendre supports restricting the use of chemicals on private property. However, he says the timing isn't right for another go at a bylaw. He says it needs to be well-prepared to avoid another failure

Source: CFRA

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Hamilton City Council has approved a motion calling on staff to draft a pesticide use by-law that will be presented to Hamilton's Board of Health in the coming months.

The issue has been debated many times over the past year, but until now politicians had only been willing to approve an educational campaign.

The creation of a by-law is largely being pushed by Mayor Eisenberger who says that at some point, "you have to enforce what you think is the right thing to do".

Rural councillors have been assured that agricultural land in Hamilton will be exempted.

Source: AM900 CHML