Cancer society seeks ban on cosmetic pesticides

 

Barbara Kaminsky, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society BC and Yukon, said 20 municipalities have already banned the pesticides, which are used to beautify city and residential properties by clearing them of weeds.

 

She is calling on the province to follow the lead of Ontario, Quebec and the Union of B.C. Municipalities in initiating a public consultation on pesticide use by the end of this year.

 

"We have waited long enough for the provincial government to act on this public health threat," Kaminsky said in a statement.

 

The chemical pesticides can contain toxic chemicals that cause cancer, she said.

 

Municipalities such as North and West Vancouver, Whistler, Maple Ridge, Richmond, Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Courtenay don't allow pesticides now, while Surrey is doing a trial ban.

 

Kaminsky said this is creating a "patchwork system of uneven bylaws" across the province.