Town Passes Pesticide By-Law

"Environmental preservation and protection is a top priority for the Town. Over the past several years, we have virtually eliminated the use of pesticides on public lands," said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "This is another positive step forward in protecting the health of our community."

By-law 2007-036 bans the use of pesticides within the town's boundaries, except on land used for the commercial production of food, and on golf courses accredited in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Pesticides would still be allowed for the purposes of controlling termites, rodents and other plants or organisms harmful to human health. They would also be permitted as wood preservatives, in swimming pools, tree injections, inside buildings and to purify water.

Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll who proposed the motion and by-law was pleased with Council's support. "The issue of pesticide regulation has been the subject of extensive public consultation and Council debate over the past six years in Oakville. I want to thank the many groups and individuals who showed leadership on this issue and helped Council make this important decision for our community. Regulating the non-essential use of pesticides will help promote and protect the health of Town residents."

Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar found particularly persuasive the advice from Health Canada to protect children and pregnant women from exposure to pesticides. "This by-law is about looking at the positive impact it will have on our current and future generations."

In conjunction with the bylaw, Council has directed that a task force be formed to create and execute a public education plan to enhance the efforts already being undertaken by the Town and Halton Region. The task force will also develop a strategy to encourage pesticide retailers to support and cooperate with the by-law. Although the Town has the right to ban the use of pesticides, it cannot stop retailers from legally selling pesticide products locally.

The task force will include two Members of Council, two Town staff, two members nominated by Gardens Off Drugs, a member of the Environmental Strategic Plan Advisory Committee, a member who works in the retail sale of pesticide products, as well as a member who works in the lawn/garden care industry in Oakville.

Staff will also be developing an implementation strategy that draws on the experiences of the 125 municipalities across Canada that have already implemented similar pesticide regulations. Staff  will report to Council on the implementation strategy and any recommended bylaw amendments by June 30, 2007.

"I am going to work to develop workable exemptions to deal with infestations, particularly of non-native, invasive species," added Mayor Burton.

Council also requested that the Region of Halton consider passing a similar by-law, and that the Mayor request that the federal and provincial governments bring forward consistent non-essential pesticide use legislation across Ontario and Canada as soon as possible. In addition, Council asked that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) lobby the two levels of government to support this initiative.