Mayoral candidate Gord Steeves wants to aggressively attack mosquitos in Winnipeg.
Steeves said, if elected, he would lobby the province to reduce malathion fogging buffer zones from 90 to 40 metres. He would also make it harder for people to get a buffer zone by requiring homeowners to produce a doctor’s note.
Steeves said, under his administration, the city would do aerial spraying to combat mosquitos during the threat of West Nile virus.
For that, he said a safer organic compound would be used, similar to what's in place in Grand Forks.
Steeves said his plan has a clear goal.
"We're asking that no one be allowed a buffer zone for political reasons and that they only get buffer zones for medical reasons," said Steeves.
The Manitoba Eco-Network said reducing buffer zones could cause serious health issues.
"From headaches to rashes - watery eyes, itching, burning, dizziness - all kinds of different things,” said Kristine Koster from Manitoba Eco-Network.
The city's former entomologist said smaller buffer zones and aerial spraying would lower trap counts.
"The more area you treat, the more area you're going to kill,” said Taz Stuart.
But he said it might be a hard sell to convince the provincial government to approve changes.
“The city could ask again about revisiting it but I have my doubts that they would be revisited at all,” he said.
The province sent CTV News a statement, saying it is open to all proposals that properly balance human wellness and environmental protection.
Of Winnipeg’s other mayoral candidates, Michael Vogiatzakis, Judy Wasylycia-Leis and Robert Ouellette said they do not support the reduction of buffer zones. Brian Bowman and Paula Havixbeck said they are open to the idea. Michel Fillion said each neighbourhood should get to decide.
- with a report from Jeff Keele
