MP tables Bills to ban cosmetic pesticides
Tuesday, February 14, 2001
HOUSE OF COMMONS
PEST CONTROL ACT
Bill C-267. Introduction and first reading
Mrs. Marlene Jennings (Notre-Dame-de-Grāce-Lachine, Lib.) moved for
leave to introduce Bill C-267, an act to prohibit the use of chemical
pesticides for non-essential purposes.
She said: Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill, titled an act to
prohibit the use of chemical pesticides for non-essential purposes,
is to place a moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides
in the home and garden and on recreational facilities, until
scientific evidence that shows such use is safe has been presented to
parliament and concurred in by a parliamentary committee.
| "Yet, we have no evidence, scientific
or medical, that accurately demonstrates their safety. Thus we spray
these pesticides at the expense of the health of Canadians." |
[English]
The bill aims to shift the dangerous burden of proof. As things
actually stand, the public good bears the burden of proof. We
abundantly spray the pesticides in our yards and playgrounds, which
are chemicals designed to kill. Yet, we have no evidence, scientific
or medical, that accurately demonstrates their safety. Thus we spray
these pesticides at the expense of the health of Canadians.
The bill would reverse this situation by requiring proof of pesticide
safety, which would have to be submitted to parliament and approved
in committee before allowing their use.
[Translation]
I strongly urge this House to consider this bill, the basic purpose
of which is to put the health of Canadians before anything else.
[English]
Let us, as parliamentarians, give a valentine to all Canadians by
adopting the bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
|
@ 1520 - February 14, 2001
CANADA WELL-BEING MEASUREMENT ACT
Bill C-268. Introduction and first reading
Mrs. Marlene Jennings (Notre-Dame-de-Grāce-Lachine, Lib.) moved for
leave to introduce Bill C-268, an act to develop and provide for the
publication of measures to inform Canadians about the health and
well-being of people, communities and ecosystems in Canada.
She said: Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise today on St. Valentine's
Day to present to the House a bill entitled the Canada well-being
measurement act. The greatest testimony to love is giving the next
generation the protection, education and the necessary assets so that
it may take its flight into the world.
[Translation]
| "The purpose of the bill is to expand the way we measure the
well-being of the country, so that it will encompass social, economic
and environmental factors. These factors affect the health of
Canada's people, communities and ecosystems. " |
It is significant, therefore, that the Canada well-being measurement
bill is being introduced in the House on Valentine's Day.
The purpose of the bill is to expand the way we measure the
well-being of the country, so that it will encompass social, economic
and environmental factors. These factors affect the health of
Canada's people, communities and ecosystems.
[English]
Such factors will increase awareness of challenges and successes
facing our country and will thereby enable the people of Canada and
the House to steer more carefully toward a secure and satisfying
future.
[Translation]
I offer this bill as a Valentine's Day gift to our beloved young
people and to all future generations.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)
* * *
@ 1520 - February 14, 2001
Petition - Pesticides
Mrs. Marlene Jennings (Notre-Dame-de-Grāce-Lachine, Lib.): Mr.
Speaker, once again it is my honour to table two petitions in the
House calling for a moratorium on the cosmetic use of pesticides, one
of which was actually taken by an elector in my riding.
As with my private member's bill, the issue of the non-essential use
of pesticides, or what we like to call cosmetic use of pesticides, is
a significant danger to the health of Canadians.
We do not have the science or the medical proof to show that it is
not dangerous. We are putting our children's lives and pregnant
mothers in danger. We are calling for a moratorium on the cosmetic
use of pesticides.
It is with great honour that I table these two petitions that support
my private member's bill. I call on the House to adopt the
legislation and to do it quickly.
|
