June 17th, 2008

Background
Many RNAO members have already sent messages to government on Bill 64, (the new pesticide bill), and these messages have been important in our ongoing discussions with government. Today we have one last chance to influence government before the bill becomes law. Please urge the government to take one essential step: to drop the clause that prevents municipalities from strengthening protections from pesticides.

We can see no health justification for stripping away the ability of municipal government to provide their citizens with added protection from pesticides. Municipal grassroots initiatives have led the way in pesticides and environmental protection. Provincial pesticide legislation should provide a strong minimum standard of protection that municipalities could build upon.

RNAO had joined with key health and environment partners to urge correction of these flaws [view media release], and is extremely disappointed that this did not happen.

For further information, read RNAO’s submission on Bill 64 [PDF - 115 KB]

Action Requested
Please send a quick message urging that municipalities be allowed to keep their powers to regulate pesticide use. Send this message to Premier McGuinty, Minister Gerretsen, Parliamentary Assistant Kevin Flynn and Minister Smitherman. You can use the form below to send messages to all. Please insert your name at the bottom of the letter. Please feel free to customize the note and add your own message