As a small business owner…

As a small business owner who was very negatively effected by the original " cosmetic pesticide" legislation I feel compelled to comment.
As stated quite often the intent of the legislation was to protect Ontario people from unnecessary pesticide use. In fact the legislation has done the opposite by creating a "black market" of cross border and internet marketing of products unavailable to licensed professionals. There is no way of knowing if the products are being used as per label or even how they are disposed.
The importance of turf grass whether it be on a lawn, golf course, cemetery, lawn bowling, sports field cannot be taken lightly. Just a few of the functions of turf grass include taking in carbon and releasing oxygen, erosion protection, cooling effects and providing safe places for recreation. We need absolutely effective products to protect our green spaces and this great tool called turf in the environment. Current legislation and to quite a point depending on how some of the wording is translated and interpreted in this proposal does not allow for innovative new products or IPM use of existing products to protect home lawns parks and sports fields with the level they deserve.
When Health Canada (PMRA) states that a product is safe it is safe and it should stop there. I believe there should be allowances for professional use only or licensed applicators only within the Ontario frame work of the Cosmetic Pesticide ban. With such a broken system currently this would be a simple small step that would be a large step towards creating a safer cleaner environment. I repeat please reconsider and create a "for professional use only" or "licensed applicators only"use category within this proposal as it really is in the best interest for Ontario.