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City Council: Monday November 16, 2009
When times get rough, the tough get going!
In a tight 8-to-7 decision, Aldermen Lowe, Fox-Mellway, Chabot, McIver, Connelly, Stevenson, Jones and, surprisingly, Alderman John Mar voted against incorporating a mechanism within the new pesticide bylaw which, over time, would address all non-essential pesticide practices in Calgary.
The implication is the presentation of a potentially weak pesticide bylaw on December 2, 2009 which fails to address adequately the health and wellness of Calgarians and the environment.
However, we must take stock of the excellent progress made to date and urge our supporters at City Hall: Mayor Bronconnier and Aldermen Ceci, Pincott, Farell, Hawkesworth, Colley-Urquhart, and Hodges to continue working on a strong pesticide bylaw that puts the health of Calgarians ahead of the assault on dandelions.
Many thanks to all of you who have worked hard on this campaign for a healthy Calgary. There is 2 1/2 weeks left before Dec. 2nd. Let your views be known and heard. There is still time to save this bylaw!!!
On behalf of the
The Coalition for a Healthy Calgary
More work to do!
Draft principles for a pesticide bylaw will be presented to City Council on November 16, 2009. If Council votes in favour of the principles on Nov. 16, a pesticide bylaw will be drafted for presentation on December 2, 2009.
Please tell the Aldermen that, "Calgary's pesticide bylaw must include the incremental phase out of pesticides used for non-essential purposes to protect the health and wellness of Calgarians and the environment."
Please phone 403.268.2430 or e-mail:
Alderman John Mar, john.mar@calgary.ca
Alderman Dale Hodges, dale.hodges@calgary.ca
Alderman Gord Lowe, gord.lowe@calgary.ca
Aldermen Brian Pincott, Druh Farrell, Gord Lowe, Bob Hawkesworth, Diane Colley-Urquhart and Joe Ceci for moving a strong pesticide bylaw closer to reality in Calgary.
September 12, 2009
EVAN BIDDELL, first ever winner of Project Runway Canada supports Coalition for a Healthy Calgary! "Chem-free is the new black", says Evan Biddell, "happy to support such a timely cause."
May 15, 2009
Please write a letter to the editor of the Calgary Herald expressing your frustration with the delay!
Click Here
Calgary Herald article by Kim Guttormson, May 15, 2009
Click Here
May 14, 2009
Nurses Urge Calgary to Prevent Stalling of Pesticide Bylaw
The College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) has sent a letter to Calgary's Mayor and aldermen urging them not to renege on the Calgary pesticide bylaw process deadline of this October.
The bylaw will “ protect over one million Albertans from harmful and highly unnecessary chemicals” reminding them that “it is well established that children are at a greater risk from pesticide exposure than adults. ”
“It appears that administration is hesitating to implement what City Council ask for” says Robin McLeod of the Coalition for a Healthy Calgary (CHC). “This timeline was established by Council on July 15, 2008 and as one of the stakeholder organizations, we've been waiting to draft the bylaw and have not been contacted until this month. Hearing the administration is now asking for an extension to next spring is unacceptable.”
November 13, 2008: Alberta announces a ban on the sale of herbicide-fertilizer combination products (weed n' feed) as of January 1, 2010. Rob Renner, Alberta's Minister of the Environment, stated, "By eliminating products that encourage mass application we will reduce the amount of chemical run-off in our waterways."
The Coalition for a Healthy Calgary applauds the Minister for taking such positive action. This is a great step forward towards the goal of eliminating all non-essential use of pesticides for aesthetic purposes.
July 15, 2008: Calgary City Council votes to create a pesticide bylaw
June 25, 2008: The Notice of Motion calling for the phase out of pesticides used for cosmetic or non-essential purposes on private and public land and implementation plan was approved at the Standing Policy Committee of Utilities and Environment.
April 22, 2008 (Earth Day): Home Depot is phasing out traditional pesticides in favour of eco-friendly alternatives beginning June 1, 2008. All stores across Canada will be pesticide-free by December 31, 2008. WOW!
April 22, 2008: The Province of Ontario announces a proposed ban on the use and sale of pesticides (herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) for cosmetic purposes. Exceptions made for agriculture, forestry, health and safety and golf courses, with condtions. For more info: www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/news/2008/042201mb.php
February 25, 2008
Notice of Motion (NOM) was introduced at City Council directing Administration to prepare a report including: a draft bylaw proposal and; implementation plan for the phase out of cosmetic pesticides on public and private lands in Calgary.
The NOM was referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee*, which is to provide recommendations on a future report to be drafted under the guidance of the Environmental Assurance and Sustainability department of the City of Calgary.
*The EAC is a volunteer committee which advises City Council on environmental issues.
December 2007
Canadian Cancer Society, Alberta/NWT Division begins collaborations with CHC to have the City of Calgary pass a pesticide bylaw in 2008.
December 2007
Mountain Equipment Co-op donates $4,000 to the CHC campaign. Thank you to MEC and all purchasers at MEC who tread the Earth lightly!
November 2007
Gideon Forman, Executive Director of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) meets with Aldermen McIver, Ceci and Pincott. Forman reports on Toronto's successful Interim Evaluation of its pesticide bylaw. For more info go to: www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/city_reports.
October 15, 2007
11 of 14 elected City officials support a phasing out of cosmetic pesticides on public and private land in Calgary based on a pre-election survey conducted by CHC.
June 2007
Alderman Joe Ceci entices Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Sharon Stevens with a delicious sample of organic dandelion soup courtesy of Spoon Fed Soup and the Coalition for a Healthy Calgary.
May 31, 2007
In a Global CTV poll 71% of respondents voted no to the question "Should the City of Calgary increase its pesticides use to control our dandelion explosion?" 29% voted in favour.
January 2007
Anonymous donation launches the beginnings of the Coalition for a Healthy Calgary.
February 2006 Oracle Poll Research
4 out of 5 Calgarians polled supported phasing out the use of cosmetic pesticides.
