www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 12, 2006 - 7 Regional councillors say pesticide bylaw not up to Halton By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Local residents' push for a region-wide bylaw that would stop the cosmetic use of pesticides has proven unsuccessful. A handful of Halton citizens turned out for the Region's health and social services committee meeting last week to request that it get the ball rolling on such legislation. While the individuals were ultimately told it is up to each local municipality to enact their own pesticide bylaws, they were still given the chance to make their case. Area resident Tania Orton kicked things off with her passionate plea to "stop the peddling of poisons." "I believe we need a strong pesticide bylaw to protect our health, to protect our pets and to protect our environment," she said. "We need our politicians at the municipal and regional level to step up like they have in Quebec and protect us all from their unnecessary use." Oakville resident Rosemarie Green shared similar sentiments, urging the regional councillors to take "the next step" and create a region-wide bylaw. "It's time to get into the new century, look forward and take responsibility for cleaning up the toxins in our badly neglected environment." Oakville resident Rosmarie Green "Education programs work only to a point and that point has been reached," she said. "It's time to get into the new century, look forward and take responsibility for cleaning up the toxins in our badly neglected environment." Pesticide Alternatives for Milton, or PAM, also asked the Region to take stronger action on the cosmetic pesticide issue. The group recently petitioned Milton town council to implement a bylaw to restrict the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes on private property. While the request wasn't granted, council agreed to start a public consultation process on the issue in January 2007. Councillors went on to make their own comments and ask the residents a variety of questions, which led to some heated exchanges. While Burlington Councillor Rick Craven suggested the cosmetic pesticide ban needs to be handled by the Province and that a "patchwork" of different bylaws across Ontario won't be effective, Orton said she thought that's an attempt to "pass the buck." "We can do it right now. Why wait for them?" she questioned. Tensions mounted as Craven asked Orton, "How do you know we have a (pesticide) problem?" She told him that she has a chemical sensitivity, so every time her neighbour sprayed pesticides, she had a seizure. She went on to say she doesn't understand why Craven doesn't know more about the issue, since he's a councillor. Chairman Joyce Savoline then jumped in, angrily telling Orton that her answers are "disrespectful." "You're being very flip and rude," she said. "Please don't do that anymore." Orton apologized and said she didn't mean to be rude, but Savoline retorted, "I think you did." The chairman later said she doesn't think the Region would ever enact a pesticide bylaw because each municipality wants to craft their own based on their values, and local needs. Halton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal concurred that it's not up to the Region to put the legislation in place. "It is the call of the local municipalities to determine how they're going to deal with this issue," he said. PAM president Erika Ristok then suggested that the Region could encourage the four local municipalities to put bylaws in place. "We'd like Halton to take a stronger stand in guiding municipalities," she said. Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll noted he hopes the municipalities hear it's time to take action on the issue. A report from Dr. Nosal was presented to the committee to update councillors on the issue of reducing pesticide use for non-essential purposes. The report says the health department continues to support a "prudent avoidance" "It is the call of the local municipalities to determine how they're going to deal with this issue." Halton Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Bob Nosal approach to pesticides. "Prudent avoidance means relying on natural control and preventative measures and using chemical pesticides only when all other measures fail," it explains. "Halton will continue to promote a policy of prudent avoidance and work with its partners in building on the success of the Naturally Green education and awareness-raising program in the months ahead." Halton CAO Brent Marshall outlined the Region's current environmentally-friendly initiatives, such as the fact it discontinued spraying pesticides along rural roadsides 20 years ago and on all Region properties four years ago. "I think these are good examples of affirmative action," he said. In the end, the committee supported having Savoline write to the federal and provincial governments regarding the pesticide issue. It also endorsed having staff report back on methods to continue with the Naturally Green initiative on a cost-share basis amongst the Region and its four municipalities. The matter will go before regional council today. -- Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com. "Masonry & Fireplace Design Specialists" IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION AVAILABLE & Reface your old fireplace Don't forget to get that old chimney repaired. Make Your Home Comfort More Affordable FINAL DAYS! CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE AND $ LENNOX SALE ® $ Up to 1000 Instant Rebate NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! 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