For Immediate Release
February 19, 2009

Pesticide ban will cost even more jobs in Ontario

Queen’s Park - Haldimand-Norfolk MPP and Environment Critic Toby Barrett continues to urge the McGuinty government to go back to the drawing board with regard to its pesticide regulations.

Barrett said it’s time the Premier rethink the legislation, as the intent of protecting children and Ontario’s environment will not be the end result. Further, it will affect 20,000 lawn care professionals, more than 40,000 farm families and a food and agriculture industry that contributes $33 billion to the economy and employs 700,00 people.

“Hospitals, schools and municipalities could better utilize the $10 million this government is spending on the legislation,” Barrett told the Ontario Legislature this afternoon. “This government calls itself the heart of North America’s chemical industry and boasts of the 50,000 plus jobs that this sector creates. Well, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t say this and then impose unreasonable and unscientific constraints on that very business sector.”

Further, by imposing the pesticide ban, Barrett said McGuinty is leaving unwarranted negative impressions on Canadians about food production and the use of pesticides in that production.

“Farmers need every tool in the toolbox to meet the challenges of feeding a growing global population, and that includes safe and effective pesticides.”

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