Last Monday our government issued a call for public feedback on the current ban of cosmetic pesticides, which prohibits certain chemicals to control weeds on lawns, sidewalks, school yards and hospital property. This legislation has been in effect since 2015 and is reaching its second year of implementation.
The intended purpose of the legislation was to reduce the exposure of people and pets to pesticides used in lawn care for non-essential or cosmetic purposes. Our Government is committed to finding the right balance between protecting the environment and those who life in it while providing usable, aesthetic green spaces in our communities. Certain sectors are exempt from the legislation including agriculture, golf courses and forestry operations.
The ban on these products has created a great deal of discussion since it came into effect. It is one of the most commonly raised issues I hear as an MLA. Like any piece of legislation that impacts many Manitobans, it is wise to check back to ensure that it is working in a way that Manitobans expect it to work.
The public consultation is a vital step in having an open conversation about reasonable regulation and reasonable rules that are safe and cost effective. The Department of Sustainable Development will be taking submissions and would like to hear from you about your experiences with this legislation. The feedback that Manitobans provide their government will be taken seriously and will guide us on future steps. We will consider all comments we receive in the review of the legislation and ask that you email your submissions to pesticide.review.2016@gov.mb.ca or respond through an online survey. Submissions will be accepted until September 12, 2016.
