Thank you to the Edmonton Chapter of the Council of Canadians!

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About Our Cause

Cosmetic use of pesticides has been banned all over Canada, but Edmonton has fallen behind. A cosmetic pesticide ban means protection from non-essential use of pesticides on public and private lands. As we grapple with health and ecological crises, it’s more important than ever to eliminate unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals. Eliminating unnecessary use of toxic chemicals means better health and environmental protection for their families, pets, and green spaces.

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The Effects of Pesticides

Health & Safety

Exposure to pesticides is associated with serious health risks, according to many studies. They have been linked to birth defects, neurological issues, and numerous types of cancers, impacting the health of residents.

Environment

Pesticides harm animal life and contaminate precious groundwater, negatively impacting the environment. It can also affect biodiversity, lowering both the amount of species in an area and their population.

Pest Resistance

Repeat usage of pesticides will decrease pest’s sensitivity to pesticides. Pesticide usage is not a sustainable long-term solution to control pests and will only exacerbate the issue.

What Can Be Done?

A cosmetic pesticide ban is crucial in protecting us and the environment. Species must be protected from further extinctions and biodiversity in general must be protected to prevent the collapse of ecological and food systems. People must be free from toxic chemicals in the air they breathe, impacting both their long and short-term health.

A ban will leave people with safer, more effective tools for yard and park management and help keep us all healthy. We call on the city to:

  • Enact a bylaw to ban the cosmetic use of pesticides.
  • Allow exemptions from the ban only for public health purposes.
  • Provide proactive public education about the ban, informing city employees, councillors, and the public of the suspected link of several pesticides used for cosmetic purposes to cancer and other serious illnesses, the increased risk for children, the toxicity of pesticides to pollinators and wildlife, and the importance of biodiversity.
  • Provide the public with a list of least toxic pesticide alternatives, including alternative lawn and garden management practices.
  • Lead by example, decreasing mowing and planting hardy native species.
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Together, we can ensure a clean, bright future for the next generation.

The World Health Organization’s “Manifesto for a Healthy Recovery from Covid-19” lists as its first suggestion, “protect and preserve the source of human health: nature.” A strong ban on pesticides will do just that; protect our environment and our health.

Campaign Endorsements

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Our Blog

Green forest

Greening Our City

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City Hall Moves Forward with Pesticide Ban

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Cosmetic Pesticide Use: 5 Myths vs. Reality

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Keep yourself informed about the ongoing effects of pesticide usage. Explore our campaign resources.

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As a beaver man, I’m watching all of these plants and animals, including the ones that more recently arrived here. I don’t carry the narrative that the western agricultural industrial complex is pushing, where those species that have recently become inhabitants here, at this location, are “invasive” or “noxious” (whatever the heck that is, it’s a very negative thing). I don’t use the war trope in my understanding of who they are. My own perspective is I’m looking to them as Elders, because maybe their species or kind has been around a lot, lot longer than us — maybe not right here, but you can still look at how they are fitting into the ecosystem.

Ryan First Diver, Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper