As a family doctor, and…

As a family doctor, and advocate for climate health, I am very concerned about the proposed changes to pesticide regulations in Ontario.

Pollinator populations in Canada, and worldwide are declining. One of the known contributors to pollinator decline is pesticide use. I am concerned that despite your stated commitment to pollinator health, these changes will lead to increased pesticide usage, riskier pesticide usage, and increased impact on pollinators.

There are also well documented negative impacts of pesticides on children’s health, and human health more broadly:
1) Bassil K, C Vakil, M Sanborn, DC Cole, JS Kaur, KJ Kerr. 2007. “Cancer Health Effects of Pesticides – Systematic Review.” Canadian Family Physician. October 2007. 53 (10). Online: http://www.cfp.ca/content/53/10/1704.full
2) Chief Public Health Office, Prince Edward Island (PEI). 2015. “Pesticides and Human Heath.” Prepared by, Carolyn Sanford, DVM, PhD, David Sabapathy, MD, MBA, MSc, PEng, FRCPC, Heather Morrison, MD, MPhil, DPhil, CCDP(EM), and Katherine Gaudreau RN, BScN, MSc. Online: http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/cphs_pesticipt1.pdf

In light of these concerns, I implore you to maintain the current regulations regarding not using them in cemeteries, and maintaining an independent, annual verification for pest infestation.