BC NDP

VICTORIA- It is time for the B.C. Liberal government to listen to families and citizen led health and environmental organizations and take immediate action to ban the unnecessary use of toxic and carcinogenic pesticides, say New Democrats.

"These toxic chemicals have been linked to cancer by numerous studies," said New Democrat environment critic Rob Fleming. "That is why I introduced a private member's bill last year that would get this poison away from our homes and the places where our children play."

A coalition of 18 health and environmental organizations joined together to call on the B.C. government to take swift and decisive action to ban cosmetic pesticides yesterday. The coalition includes the Wilderness Committee, Canada's largest membership-based wilderness preservation organization.

"British Columbians are concerned about the serious impact that these toxic substances have on our health and our environment," said Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee on the organizations' blog. "Every day that goes by while this ban is not in place is another day that our families are being exposed to these toxic products."

Cities like Vancouver, Burnaby and Esquimalt brought in bylaws aimed at stopping cosmetic pesticide use. In addition, the Union of B.C. Municipalities, which represents communities across the province, has asked the provincial government to take action.
"Currently municipalities simply don't have strong enough tools to stop the spread of these dangerous chemicals. By laws can't take these toxic products off the shelves or stop many institutional and industrial users from using these chemicals on their properties. That is why we need the province to take action," said West.
"Like other parents, I want to do what I can to protect my children from toxic chemicals," said Fleming. "I hope the B.C. Liberal government will do the right thing and support legislation to ban cosmetic pesticides in the coming spring session."

Carole James and the New Democrats are advocating for positive environmental solutions, including a Green Fund which would see $150 million a year for climate change solutions and transit improvements in communities across the province.

Fleming's bill can be found here: http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th1st/1st_read/m206-1.htm

West's comments can be found here: http://wildernesscommittee.org/ben/its_time_cosmetic_pesticide_ban_bc

Further information about Wilderness Committee's support for Fleming's private member's bill can be found here: http://wildernesscommittee.org/press_release/ben_west/wilderness_committee_and_toxic_free_canada_support_pesticide_bill