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Update May 23 2007 Draft Pesticide By-Law

Update June 26 2007 Pesticide By-Law Passed

ISSUE 6: We want a Pesticides By-Law

I'm working towards a pesticide by-law, which also includes herbicides, by the spring of 2007. I sit on the Environmental Issues Committee, and in mid 2004 I asked if the decision on the by-law was a political one, or one based on scientific principles. Since that time I have been frustrated by the inability of Council to decide who the experts are that we should be listening to, and how the forum should be run.

• A consensus has been reached, and staff will be writing a by-law (similar to Toronto’s), specifically meet the needs of the residents of Markham.

Draft Pesticide By-Law

We have been working hard on writing a Pesticide By-law that will work for the residents of the Town of Markham.  In October 2006 we held a Public Meeting with 4 expert panelists and staff brought a report on the outcome of that meeting in early April 2007.  At that time I moved that Council direct staff to bring forward a proposed draft by-law based upon the Toronto by-law model to a public meeting. Late in April 2007, staff reported back to Council with the draft proposed by-law for the Town.

Key Points in the Draft Pesticide By-Law

The draft By-Law is modeled after the City of Toronto By-Law.  The Key aspects are:

• Restricts "non-essential" use of outdoor pesticides throughout the Town, except farming operations as that is covered under separate legislation.
• Allows the use of low impact pest control products shown on Schedule 'A' of the draft by-law such as soap, mineral oil, boric acid etc.
• Allows limited use of pesticides in identified situations such as disinfecting pools, within an enclosed building, to control a health hazard, to exterminate rodents, infestations, etc.
• Specifically allows use of pesticides on golf courses, on lawn bowling greens, in hydro stations, on hydro corridors where applied by an accredited Integrated Pest management Agent.

Date of By-Law

This By-Law is proposed to come into effect January 1 2008 allowing time for the lawn and garden care industry, residents and others to adjust their practices.  This date also allows for the community education program to be implemented.

The input from the May 23 2007 Public Information meeting will be worked on my staff and a report will be brought back to General Committee with a final draft By-Law potentially in mid June.  The Final draft By-Law could then potentially be considered by Council at the end of June.

Pesticides By-Law Passed

On June 26, 2007 Markham Council passed a bylaw to regulate the non-essential use of pesticides on public and private property.  The bylaw will come into effect, January 1, 2008. Commencing immediately, the Town will begin to roll out a comprehensive public education program to inform residents and businesses of the new bylaw and how to maintain a healthy lawn and garden without using pesticides. 

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