By James Matthews
Algonquin Highlands isn’t able to enforce municipal legislation against the sale, transport, and use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes.
Melissa Murray, the township’s environmental manager, told council when it met Feb. 20 that a cosmetic use of a chemical pesticide is for anything that isn’t deemed essential.
“So it wouldn’t cover anything for health and safety or anything like that,” she said. “Those have different regulatory requirements.”
Municipal staff undertook an investigation of a bylaw to limit or ban the use of pesticides in the township that aligns with the strategic goal to strengthen the promotion and support of the protection of lake health. Improper use of pesticides can be a threat to lake health.
“I think it’s clear,” she said.
Murray said the township has policies that dictates pesticide use on municipal property. Those policies aim for a target to reduce pesticide use or eliminate them all together in the long-term. “That is a defined goal in our usage policy,” Murray said.
The township’s environment and stewardship committee reviewed documentation regarding the harmful environmental effects of pyrethrins and other pesticides. Pyrethrins are botanical insecticides derived from the dried flowers of the chrysanthemum plant.
The committee and township council requested municipal staff investigate a potential ban on pesticides.
“Staff have determined that any bylaw that banned the use of pesticides in the Township of Algonquin Highlands will not be enforceable,” Murray said in a report to council.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer Dailloux, speaking on behalf of the committee, said she’d be happy to consider some educational components around “specific elements” of pesticide use.
Beyond provincial regulation, all pesticides available and used in Canada are regulated under federal parameters.
Pesticide use on municipal properties is regulated by the township’s Pesticide Use on Municipal Properties Policy. The policy states that the Township of Algonquin Highlands will manage vegetation and pests on all municipally owned or leased properties using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices with the target of reducing and or eliminating pesticide use in the long term.
In a report to township council, staff recommended no further action be taken regarding a ban on pesticide use. Information about the safe and effective use of pesticides and alternatives to pesticide use could be considered for future education campaigns.
