Posted: Wed June 10, 2009 We would like to thank all our volunteers who made it possible for us to have 2 tables available on Clean Air Day, June 3, 2009. One in Gibsons at Sunnybrook Mall and the other at Sechelt at Claytons Mall. The day was a huge success. We now have 30 new members. Way to go team!

Posted: Wed February 25, 2009 This is taken from Western Wilderness Committee's newsletter:

An extensive body of medical literature has demonstrated that pesticides
pose a significant threat to human health. Pesticide exposure has been
linked to cancer, including childhood cancer, developmental defects and
behavioural disorders.

Many cosmetic pesticides (used solely to maintain the aesthetic qualities
of lawns and gardens) contain active ingredients that are classified as
possible human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer. Some other ingredients are listed as reproductive toxins,
endocrine-disrupting chemicals or neurotoxins. Children are most at risk
from pesticide exposure because their smaller, developing bodies are more
vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides.

Cosmetic pesticides are also known to have adverse environmental effects
on non-target wildlife species, such as aquatic animals, birds and fish.

Across the country, more than 125 municipalities have passed bylaws that
ban the use of cosmetic pesticides within their municipal boundaries. However,
only the provincial government has authority to control the sale of pesticides,
which has meant that retail stores have continued to sell pesticides that are
banned for use under the bylaws.

In Quebec and Ontario, consumers petitioned their provincial governments for
action and were successful in winning legislation that bans the sale and use
of certain cosmetic pesticides and restricts the sale of others.

Public opinion polls showed that 77 per cent of British Columbians support
legislation that would phase out the use of cosmetic pesticides. There are many
alternatives to the use of cosmetic pesticides, including mechanical
weed control
and non-toxic products that can be used to control insects and weed growth.
Organic gardening advice and services are also readily available.

For more information please contact Claudia Ferris at Toxic Free Canada
(toxicfreecanda.ca), the new voice of the Labour Environmental
Alliance Society (LEAS), 604-669-1921.

Please sign (and share) Toxic Free Canada’s new Cosmetic Pesticide
Petition at toxicfreecanada.ca/petition.asp?uid=2

Posted: Tue December 23, 2008 Ed Lawrence, author, retired chief horticulturalist at Rideau Hall and
popular gardening expert, this morning declared his support for the
Ontario Government's decision to ban the use of harmful pesticides for
cosmetic purposes in this province.

"I sincerely applaud Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario
government for their decision to protect the health and safety of the
people, and particularly the children, of this province through this
cosmetic pesticide ban. These dangerous poisons and chemicals are not
essential to good gardening and never have been and the sooner people
stop using them, the better it will be for both the ecology and our
own health. All it takes are a few good, simple horticultural
practices and some common, harmless household products like soap and
water to maintain a healthy, attractive lawn and garden. This ban is
great news the environment – its great news for all of us!" said Mr.
Lawrence speaking from his home in Almonte this morning.

As the former chief horticultural expert at Rideau Hall, author of the
best-selling book "Gardening Grief and Glory" and popular media
gardening guru, Ed Lawrence has gained a solid reputation as the elder
statesman of environmentally-responsible gardening. His simple,
practical, and effective solutions to gardening problems and pests
have consistently avoided the use of dangerous poisons and commercial
pesticides. Soap and water, dormant oils, integrated pest management
(ie. good bugs eating bad bugs), even the use of beer in small bowls
to eliminate slugs from your garden are among the benign remedies that
Ed has used and promoted over his many years as both a media gardening
celebrity and in the greenhouses and gardens of the Governor General.

"The most respected gardeners I know tend to avoid the use of harmful
pesticides like the plague. And the joy of it is, you don't have to be
a horticultural specialist to make plants grow well and stay healthy
without dangerous pesticides. To anyone who sees this ban as the death
knell of their showcase garden, I'd say "don't worry". There are
simple, benign alternatives to these poisons and they do work. You'll
be amazed!"

For more information or to book an interview with Ed Lawrence, please
contact Benoit & Associates at 819-459-1481.

http://www.gardeningwithed.com/

Posted: Thu November 13, 2008 Quebec and Ontario have already banned the cosmetic use of pesticides. Is Alberta next? Is B.C. next? Good things do happen.

PRESS RELEASE:

CALGARY, Nov. 13 /CNW/ - The Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT
Division, is applauding the Alberta government's ban on commonly used
herbicide-fertilizer pesticide products announced today.
This action will ban the sale and use of such cosmetic pesticide
products, which are typically applied to lawns. The use of cosmetic pesticides
has no countervailing health benefits, is harmful to the environment, and is
potentially dangerous to human health.
"The Canadian Cancer Society believes that the Alberta government has
taken the appropriate first step to limit the risk to human health and the
environment through this initiative," says Angeline Webb, Cancer Control
Analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society. "This is especially true when the
reason for using pesticides on lawns is to prevent weeds that can be removed
in other potentially less damaging ways."
A broad range of cancers - among them leukemia, lung cancer, brain
cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer - are linked to
pesticide exposure and the evidence is suggestive and growing. Other diseases
like Parkinson's, respiratory illnesses, and some learning disorders are also
considered to have a link. Children may be at the greatest risk of such
exposure because they often crawl and play on grass.
Albertans have shown support for restrictions on cosmetic pesticides, as
demonstrated by a public opinion poll commissioned by the Canadian Cancer
Society in May 2008. An average of 87% of Albertans polled said they support
laws restricting the use of cosmetic pesticides used for strictly aesthetic
purposes.
Alberta joins Ontario and Quebec, in addition to more than 100
municipalities across Canada, which have already enacted similar restrictions.
The Canadian Cancer Society supports the Alberta government in this
important initiative and encourages further restrictions to include all
cosmetic pesticides and their use on both private and public lands.
"A ban on the sale and use of this type of cosmetic pesticides in our
province is a necessary step to reduce harm, especially to children," says
Webb. "Albertans will now know that their children are safer playing outdoors
and that the environment is being further protected through this ban."

Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 On May 29th from 7-8 pm, Channel 11 will host a panel discussion on "Creating Gardens and Lawns for a Pesticide Free Future". This is a program organized by the Pesticide Committee of the Sunshine Coast Clean Air Society. Hope you'll be able to watch this program and call in some questions. Tell your friends and neighbors about it.

An excellent panel has been assembled. John Keates and David Holmes-Smith can provide background on the newly passed pesticide bylaw and the dangers of pesticides. Brian Myhill-Jones, M.D. will talk about the health problems created by pesticides. Robin Wheeler and Randi Ridgewell are organic gardeners and can give lots of tips on how to get off pesticides and still have beautiful gardens.

Hopefully many people will watch this program as the goal is to reduce pesticide use on the Sunshine Coast.

Posted: Wed April 30, 2008 As you are aware, Sechelt introduced a Bylaw to restrict the non-essential use of pesticides and herbicides.As part of this effort to create and maintain a healthy community, the District will be offering a number of events aimed at helping our community make the adjustment.

Saturday, May 10, for 10am to 12noon, residents can drop off pesticides for free disposal, at the 'arbour' area on Block 7 (Near the Seaside Centre, where the Sechelt Garden Club will be hosting their popular Spring plant sale). District staff will collect and responsibly dispose of the collected pesticides. (A second date may be scheduled, depending on the volume/demand experienced on May 10)

(It is also important to remember that the public can dispose of pesticides or herbicides at the Sechelt Landfill free of charge, by placing these items in the hazardous material shed (this goes for other has mats as well).

On May 14 and 28 (Wednesdays), at 7:00pm and the Seaside Centre, free Gardening Workshops will be offered, featuring environmentalist and internationally renowned local author Carole Rubin (How to get your Lawn and Garden Off Drugs). There will be free draws and refreshments at these events. A third workshop will be offered in the Fall, to focus on fall plantings.

Hope you will take part,let your friends and neighbours know and help us have a beautiful and healthy community!!!"

-District of Sechelt

Posted: Fri February 22, 2008 February 2008: District of Sechelt Council adopted the Bylaw to Ban the Cosmetic Use of Pesticides - congratulation to the SCCAS Pesticide Committee, and to all the others involved! The Sunshine Coast becomes a healthier community by reducing these toxins in our air, soil and water.