The Ontario Environment Minister in the McGuinty Liberal govermnment said on November 26, 2008 that his government has been adamant that they were going to implement the Cosmetic Pesticide by the growing season of 2009.
Hon. John Gerretsen: Well-and I appreciate the question-we have been very adamant on the whole pesticide situation that we were going to implement the new rules and regulations by the growing season of 2009. We have said that right from the very beginning, and we intend to do
Yet the governments EBR when comments were first requested on January 18, 2008 clearly states under "Timing" that there would be a phased in implementation of (e.g. 3 years).
Looks like another McGuinty promise.
Ontario's Hansard
Session: 39:1 Date: 20081126
View full text - size 348795 bytes
Partial text with relevant conversations are copied below.
PESTICIDES
Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. During the debate on Bill 64, the pesticide ban, you assured cemeteries that they would be exempt. We now find that you have broken your promise, but given your track record, nobody is surprised.
You further committed to comprehensive consultations with lawn care professionals to implement regulations in a sensible way, with a realistic timetable. You have gone back on your word to them as well.
If your government understood business at all, you would recognize that your regulations leave them no room and no time to plan or prepare for the 2009 growing season. Why can't you people keep your word?
Hon. John Gerretsen: Well-and I appreciate the question-we have been very adamant on the whole pesticide situation that we were going to implement the new rules and regulations by the growing season of 2009. We have said that right from the very beginning, and we intend to do that.
But, as the member also knows, the final regulations are on the EBR right now. We're looking for comments from individuals. We've met with the same organizations that he has obviously met with within the last day or so. We are still reviewing the situation, and we'll be making a final determination shortly.
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.
Mr. John Yakabuski: Those regulations will be finalized in March, and that doesn't give anybody enough time.
Your regulations will, further, create the very strange situation of allowing individuals the right to apply class 7 pesticides, such as Grub Eliminator, but not allow professionals to do the same.
Many people, including seniors and the disabled, rely on professionals to take care of their properties-professionals who are trained to deal with the products in the safest possible manner, including not requiring the homeowner to deal with the storage or disposal of unused product.
Will you commit to correcting this blatant inconsistency immediately?
Hon. John Gerretsen: We know where this government stands on this particular issue. We want to protect children in the best way we know possible as far as banning the cosmetic use of pesticides is concerned.
We also realize that there are certain products that under certain circumstances could be used for purposes other than-
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Renfrew, you just asked the question. I would ask that you be respectful and listen to the answer.
Hon. John Gerretsen: As he well knows, there are certain products that can be used for different purposes. For those purposes, particularly when we're talking about indoor purposes, there will be a use of restricted products on that list that will be sold to individuals on an individual basis for those specific purposes.
We intend to bring in the best possible law, as we have done, and the best possible rules and regulations to make sure that the children of this province are-
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you, Minister.
I guess this is the naked truth about politics. Glad I'm in the lawn care business.
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