Business group challenges pesticide ban
NEWS/ PESTICIDES — The North Shore Business Improvement Association is challenging a proposal from Coun. Tina Lange to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides, saying it would be “crippling” for some businesses.
Steve Puhallo.
The NSBIA issued a statement today (Wednesday) saying it and local businesses “have questions and concerns” about the plan to amend the City’s pesticide bylaw.
Council is expected to vote on changing the bylaw this month and, based on past votes on the issue, it has a good chance of passing.
The proposed bylaw amendment states “no person may use or apply pesticides or grant permission or authority to use or apply pesticides on residential lands.”
“We’re very concerned about the impact this amendment will have on local, established businesses in this community,” said NSBIA executive director Steve Puhallo.
“We feel the current bylaw governing the use of cosmetic pesticides balances environmental concerns and the professional application of these products by local businesses. This bylaw amendment upsets that balance.”
He questioned how the City’s bylaws department would enforce the proposed change “when these same, Health Canada approved, products are legally available off the shelf at local stores? The result will be untrained local residents applying these products rather than trained and regulated professionals.”
Puhallo said there’s further confusion as to why proponents of this amendment are still allowing use of the products on non-residential land. “There is no apparent logic in restricting these products residentially while still permitting application on commercial properties and municipal soccer pitches, rugby fields, softball diamonds, parks,” he said.
“Our primary concern is that this amendment puts local businesses and their employees at risk. We’re worried it will cost jobs and businesses will have to close if the amendment is approved.
“Businesses are telling us this will severely hurt them, and will have a ‘crippling’ effect on their ability to continue,” added Puhallo. “Why target private residences that have shrubs, flowers, ornamental plants, green grass and trees? Shouldn’t we be encouraging home owners to keep their properties tidy and attractive?”
ArmchairMayor.ca 
“Hello, earth to humans, you are killing youself!” Stop posioning this place you live.
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I am so tired of “business leaders” acting like there is no compromise between health and wealth. We can have a reasonable degree of both, though growth as we have had in the past is not sustainable.
I think those companies will be just as busy if they focus on lawn care without pesticides- maybe even busier as it may take more time. They just need to do a good job, use their imagination and business skills and diversify a bit.
I just don’t want to support our local businesses as much when they don’t act in the best interests of the citizens who live here and when their focus is so narrow. I hope ethical and concerned business owners also speak up!
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Just a thought… if pesticides were banned, how exactly would that destroy businesses that look after lawns and gardens? Wouldn’t it make more work for them if they had to keep everything looking nice using other methods?
Is it assumed that if the chemicals are banned, those who use the services presently will simply throw up their hands and say “well, I guess that’s that… I’ll just have to live with the weeds now…” Or would they pay for a different approach?
Is is about losing business or having to do business in other ways?
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brocknanson –
Good letter. I agree.
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Health Canada also approves the sale of cigarettes, but we all know those aren’t healthy now do we Steve?
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Wonder what was wrong with the previous by-laws?
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Mr. Beat on, please read the current bylaws yourself, they are available on line, and stop with the one line nothings.
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If pesticides were the only component in these companies business plan, then maybe they deserve to be worried. Diversification is the key word here.
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It’s funny that no matter what you do now we have to worry about “crippling businesses.” Businesses run this country now. “Think of the jobs!” fear mongering has replaced the old “think of the children!” There is no change a government can make that won’t effect a single job, so I guess we may as well do nothing. Time we grew a pair and did what’s best for society. The needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many. And you’re right grouchy, these companies can still spray trees and even use non chemical ways to treat grass. Like I said before, if people are going to buy them at a store and apply it them self when a ban is enacted, what’s stopping them from doing it now and not paying the “professional?” Do these “professionals” get any extensive training besides point and spray?
Ontario and Quebec have been fine for years. We’ll be fine too. Pretty soon if the heat keeps up we won’t have laws to worry about. And living in a desert climate, we probably shouldn’t have green grass to begin with anyways.
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Lawn and gardens can be beautifully managed totally organic.
Puhallo should understand that.
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