WE NEED YOU!!!!!The
Regional Pesticide Working Group has created a "framework of a bylaw" as
directed by Regional Council.
This is what is expected to happen:
1. This framework will be presented to the Community Services
Committee on Tuesday November 16 at 1:00 p.m. Regional Council
Chambers 150 Frederick St. Kitchener
2. If they agree with it, they will make a recommendation to the full
Regional Council the following Wed. Nov. 24 at 7:00 p.m. Regional
Council Chambers 150 Frederick St. Kitchener. If not, we have to wait
until the next municipal election.
3. If the Council agrees, it will go to area municipalities and
public consultation meetings will be set up next year. If not, we have
to wait until the next municipal election.
4. Regional staff will compile everything and then it will go to
Regional Council Fall 2005 for final approval or not.
Although we did not see the final report that will go to the
Committee, you can see the minutes on the Region's website
www.region.waterloo.on.ca
click on Public Health, click on Health Information, click on Health
Information by topic, click on Pesticides, click on Pesticide Working
Group Agendas and Minutes and they're organized by date. The agenda will
be made public on Friday November 12 on the same website. Look under
Agendas and Minutes.
The basic drift of the bylaw framework is that pesticides will only
be allowed for infestations, health reasons etc. and by permit as
determined by a Qualified Inspector. There are a number of different
criteria also (smog days, water sources, bus stops etc.) The group has
recommended a 3-year phase-in (education, warnings then full
enforcement)
It is critical that we fill the seats at these meetings. Tell
everyone you know. If you want to write a letter with your support and
have it included in the official record, you must submit it to the Clerk
at the Region. You can also put yourself on the agenda as a delegate by
contacting the clerk at 575-4427 or e-mail Donna Leis at
ldonna@region.waterloo.on.ca
We know the industry will be there en force and we have to be there
too. If you have any questions, please contact me: Susan Koswan 578-8508
dandelion@gto.net
This is not a shoe-in. Regional Councillors still need to hear you
and see you and that you want a pesticide bylaw.
The list of councillors is in the telephone book in the blue-edged
pages of the Bell phone book and the grey-edged pages of the Phone Guide
or on-line at
www.region.waterloo.on.ca
under Government, Council information. Their
email addresses are all listed there. It wouldn't hurt to contact your
Regional Councillors.
Thanks!
Susan Koswan
