8. Toronto City Council compromises in pesticide bylawAmid jeers, name-calling and whoops of joy from onlookers, Toronto City Council approved on May 22 a bylaw that will severely restrict the use of chemical pesticides by homeowners to beautify their lawns and gardens. Councillor Jane Pitfield said The majority of residents have told us that this is the step they wanted us to take. Following a long and emotionally charged debate, city councillors voted 25 to 16 in favour of the bylaw, though many said they remained confused about what they had just enacted. Precisely what constitutes a weed "infestation" and the "cosmetic use" of a pesticide will be defined over the next year by a new advisory committee on pesticide use, to be made up of representatives of the city, the Board of Health, environmental groups and the lawn care industry. But until those terms are defined, the bylaw will not technically ban pesticide use on public and private property. The new bylaw won't be enforced until 2006. Homeowners caught violating the bylaw will be issued a warning, and if caught a second time, will face a $250 fine. The City will launch a public education campaign over the next two years to wean residents off non-essential use of pesticides in favour of natural and less-toxic alternatives to kill off weeds and insects. Sources: The Globe and Mail, May 23. National Post, May 23.
|