Cavers wants total city pesticide ban
It’s been nearly two years since the city imposed rules regulating the use of cosmetic pesticides, but a rookie city councillor is hoping to toughen the existing bylaw.
Coun. Donovan Cavers wants a complete ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides within city limits and has brought forward a motion for the Tuesday, Feb. 14, council meeting.
He argues a total ban wouldn’t come at a cost to the city and would be particularly beneficial to the health of children and animals who play in the grass.
“It’s not something that’s going to take a lot of resources to accomplish,” Cavers told KTW.
The councillor indicated the bylaw would need to consider possible exemptions for businesses like golf courses, but suggested there are effective biological sprays that can produce similar results as their chemical counterparts.
The current bylaw, which came into effect in 2010, prohibits a person from applying pesticides on residential land for the purpose of maintaining outdoor trees, shrubs flowers or ornamental plants and turf.
However, there is an exception for vegetable gardens and fruit trees.
Residents can also apply to the city’s integrated pest management co-ordinator for an exemption by using an accredited licensed applicator to apply pesticides for cosmetic use.
Cavers’ motion will call for an end to that practice.
When it comes to a complete ban, city staff have recommended council wait until the provincial government introduces a provincewide ban on cosmetic pesticides.
However, Cavers said the city has been waiting several years for a ban, adding it doesn’t know what the province will ultimately come up with in its legislation.
For Cavers’ motion to move forward, he’ll need another member to second it for a discussion, which will then trigger a vote on the issue.
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