I support the removal of the…

I support the removal of the Ontario Pesticide Advisory Committee (OPAC) from the Ontario Pesticide Act. The federal government, through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, conducts a thorough, scientific review and risk assessments for pesticide registrations. OPAC does not have the scientific expertise or resources necessary to perform such a function, and therefore OPAC offers no benefit to the safety of the people or the environment of Ontario. The Classification of pesticides through OPAC is difficult, confusing, time consuming and costly for the applicant. Furthermore, the classification process causes months of delay of access for the users of the new pest control product in only Ontario, while users in every other province or territory in Canada have access immediately after federal approval.