City studying use of cosmetic pesticides after province loosens restrictions
The City of Winnipeg is exploring the pros and cons of using cosmetic pesticides once banned by the province.
Earlier this month, the Stefanson government loosened restrictions around the use of pesticides with certain chemicals.
Since 2014, Manitoba cities, homeowners and lawn care companies had to turn to products which were more eco-friendly. Some in the industry have said they don’t work as well and are more expensive.
The city’s community services committee has ordered a report due in four months on phasing in their use on city parks and boulevards for 2023.
The study will also look at costs, the science behind all of this, what other jurisdictions are doing and the potential for buffer zones.
This comes after a motion sponsored by North Kildonan City Councillor Jeff Browaty for the city to use these pesticides.
“I'm hearing from a lot of people, ‘why can't we do dandelion control?’” Browaty said
Browaty calls the weeds an eyesore, and says while homeowners take pride in their yards, the city should do the same with boulevards and parks.
"There are residents who have allergies, times of the year where dandelions go from the yellow to the white,” he said.
However, there is opposition to the use of cosmetic pesticides.
A handful of delegates addressed the committee over their concerns the pesticides are harmful to the environment and people.
Marg Friesen from the Environmental Health Association of Manitoba says the chemicals can have short and long-term impacts.
"If this is brought forward, then it's going to be a huge step back. Some of the immediate results actually make people sick,” Friesen said.
Daniel McIntyre City Councillor Cindy Gilroy told the committee not to bother with the report at all. She says the city should find a more eco-friendly solution to deal with noxious weeds.
“I know that these are annoying to some people, but introducing chemicals is not the answer,” she said.
Browaty argues the pesticides in question are approved by Health Canada for use.
Committee chair John Orlikow suggests the report could settle the debate.
"Do we want to have kids running around with herbicides all over the field or can we live with the dandelions?” he asked. “Let’s find out. I think a report will provide a healthier debate rather than more of an emotional debate."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.