Canadian Cancer Society pleased with new Ontario law banning cosmetic use of pesticides

18  June  2008
TORONTO -

The Canadian Cancer Society congratulates the Ontario government for passing legislation today that prohibits the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides across the province but is concerned about the impact of the new law on existing municipal bylaws.

“Now all Ontarians will be protected from health risks associated with the cosmetic use of pesticides,” says Peter Goodhand, CEO, Ontario Division, Canadian Cancer Society. “We’re especially pleased the new law will include a ban on both the use and sale of cosmetic pesticides.”

Since 2002, Society volunteers and staff have worked with municipal governments and community partners across Ontario to prohibit the use of cosmetic pesticides with the result that 34 municipalities across the province have enacted bylaws restricting or prohibiting the use of pesticides.

A key concern for the Society is that the new law will override current municipal bylaws and prohibit municipalities from passing bylaws with restrictions that go beyond provincial law.

“Many municipalities across the province, along with our volunteers and staff, worked hard to enact bylaws to protect their communities,” says Goodhand. “With this provincial ban, we should be proud that we now have the strongest cosmetic pesticides legislation in North America but more work needs to be done.”

The Society looks forward to providing input into the development of strong regulations to support and strengthen this legislation to ensure the health of all Ontarians is protected to the fullest extent.

Background

The body of evidence on pesticides and cancer suggests a positive association between exposure to certain pesticides and some types of cancer. Based largely on occupational studies, the list of cancers includes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia, brain cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. There is also strong evidence that children may be more vulnerable than other population groups. In some cases, evidence linking pesticides and cancer will not be scientifically definitive, but it may be suggestive and growing.

A 2007 Oracle Poll of 1,000 Ontario residents shows 71% of Ontario citizens support province-wide restrictions on pesticides.

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization of volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and to improve the quality of life of people living with cancer. When you want to know more about cancer, visit our website www.cancer.ca or call our toll-free, bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333.

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For more information, please contact:

Christine Koserski

Sr. Coordinator, Media Relations

Ontario Division

Phone:  (416) 488-5402 x2305