'Customers very satisfied': The use of cosmetic pesticides once again allowed on Manitoba lawns
Winnipeg lawn care companies have an old weapon back in their arsenal as they begin their annual war against weeds.
Cosmetic pesticides are once again allowed to be used in Manitoba after the provincial government relaxed a ban on the products.
Pramila Behl wants her lawn to be as green and weed-free as possible. So she takes matters into her own hands when she notices a dandelion rearing its ugly head.
"I ended up buying some vinegar and lemon juice. I mix it up and I'm going to sprinkle it," said Behl.
For nearly 20 years she's also been hiring companies to spray her lawn with pesticides. However she said a number of years ago their effectiveness began to fade.
"It was much better. Much better," she said.
In 2014, the then NDP government passed legislation banning the use of certain cosmetic pesticides. It forced lawn care companies to switch to more eco-friendly products like Fiesta that they argued were costlier and less effective.
But following new legislation by the Manitoba government relaxing the ban, companies are now once again free to use those cosmetic pesticides.
"It's going pretty good! Customers are very satisfied, and there's been virtually no interest in going back to Fiesta whatsoever," said Tim Muys with Green Blade Lawn Care.
He said the chemicals have been approved by Health Canada as safe, and wishes he hadn't had to wait so long for the ban to be reversed.
"We go through about 5,000 litres of Par 3, and by contrast we were going through over 50,000 litres of Fiesta," Muys said. "Ten times the product for less results. Ten times the price for less results. It just doesn't make sense!"
But some are worried about the potential costs to the health of people and pets now that cosmetic pesticides are back in use.
"I mean if you had to choose between a potential of cancer or other illnesses that these chemicals have been linked with and a few dandelions on your lawn, I think the choice is obvious," said Anne Lindsay with Cosmetic Pesticide Ban Manitoba, an advocacy group looking to keep the ban in place.
"We are in line with Health Canada and the rest of Canada," said Environment Minister Kevin Klein in a statement to CTV News. "So far we have received less than five complaints concerning the non-essential pesticide use regulation. We are always open to hearing from Manitobans regarding their views on this legislation. Municipalities are also free to enact by-laws to set further regulations on pesticide use based on local considerations.”
Behl said she doesn't like chemicals, but she doesn't like weeds either.
Muys said lawn companies won't use a drop more than necessary to get the job done.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.