Toronto Environmental Alliance

Brad Honywil
July, 1999

Council's environmental crusader, Jack Layton, is appealing to all residents to follow the city's lead and adopt a pesticide­ free policy.

Toronto has reduced its use of pesticides on city lands over the past two years and, if the policy is approved this week, it will be pesticide-free next year.

In 1997 alone, city workers used almost 900  kilos of solid pesticides and 4,316 of liquid pesticides on city lands.

We're hoping people with home lawns will join with the city because then, if we have practically no pesticide use in Toronto, our lakes are going to be cleaner, the environment is going to be better and our kids will be safer: Layton told reporters at the city's new Music Garden yesterday.

Emergencies only

The proposed policy will ban use of pesticides on city lands except under emergency conditions. For example, Layton said, if a swarm of bees is threatening school children, pesticides may be used.

Layton said it's believed Toronto is the first large city on the Great Lakes to adopt a pesticide-free policy.

To implement a pesticide-free policy, the City  is  expected to invest $20,000
in a public education program and another $475,000 for new and replacement equipment.

Lois Corbett, executive director of the Toronto Environmental Alliance,  said pesticides have been associated with prostate and breast cancer, and neurological and reproductive system disorders.