The Green Party of Canada Supports
the Ban of Cosmetic Pesticide in Winnipeg
May 29, 2007

Thank you for the opportunity to speak here.  First let me begin by quoting directly from our policy and 2006 Election Platform.

(Excerpt from Green Party of Canada’s Ottawa Policy Convention, August 2006)
Green Party will work to ban the use of all pesticides for cosmetic purposes.

(Excerpt from Green Party of Canada’s 2006 Election Platform)
“From health care to economic development to quality of life, Canadians are paying a higher and higher price for decades of environmental neglect.

Pollution knows no boundaries, it affects all Canadians. Like sponges, our bodies are absorbing pollution and are developing environment-related illnesses at an alarming rate. From non-stick cookware to pesticides to some things that you wouldn't even think twice about, Canada is becoming a toxic country. In fact, we rate near last in all OECD categories for toxic chemicals including nuclear waste (overall rated 30th out of 30 industrialized countries). Many Canadians are scratching their heads and asking: Are we becoming the world's toxic dump?

Our bodies have become chemical stockpiles for hundreds of toxins that are not properly regulated by the federal government. Flame retardant from our furniture shows up in breast-milk; lead (a known hormone disruptor) from metal smelters causes reproductive defects; and our microwave popcorn wrapper surprises you with cancer-related perfluorooctane sulfonate (or PFOs).”

Reporter, Brian Whitwham, states in the Guelph Mercury (daily newspaper) on May 23, 2007, “More than 120 communities across Canada have restricted pesticides use.1” 

We feel it’s time that Winnipeg too look to the future and consider taking this protective measure for its residents.

The Winnipeg members of the Green Party of Canada wish to see the ban of pesticides throughout this city.
Thank you, the City of Winnipeg, for inviting us to express our views.  Please act appropriately in banning pesticide (cosmetic and otherwise) across Winnipeg.

Zev Rumstein
Manitoba Organizer/ Organisateur de Manitoba
Green Party of Canada/ Parti vert du Canada
119 Ethelbert Street, Winnipeg, MB  R3G 1V5
204.282.6150    zev@greenparty.ca