Toronto, Ont. - June 19, 2008 - After passing a weakened provincial pesticide ban, Ontario's Liberal government must now create strict regulations to close loopholes in the new law, the Green Party of Ontario says.

Bill 64, which passed into law yesterday, is viewed by many as inadequate and has been criticized for depriving Ontario's municipalities of their right to pass tougher, more comprehensive bans.

"By overriding the ability of municipalities like the City of Toronto to have stronger laws, the McGuinty government has listened to and sided with pesticide companies over the interests of citizens, health associations and municipalities," said Mark MacKenzie, Environment Issue Advocate for the Green Party of Ontario.

Municipalities and a coalition of health and environmental organizations have been critical of loopholes in the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act that permit spraying in certain incidences, such as insect infestations.

The Ontario College of Family Physicans, the Canadian Environmental Law Association, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario were among those who raised serious questions about Bill 64's effectiveness and finally withdrew their support for the new law.

"I'd like to thank and congratulate all those across the province who voiced their concerns and demanded that the McGuinty government take this issue seriously," said Frank de Jong, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario.

"The Green Party has supported provincial pesticide legislation for years, and we are happy the Liberals have taken another plank from our platform. But it's too bad they didn't go nearly far enough.

"Now, Queen's Park must get to work to close Bill 64's loopholes and restore the rights of municipalities to pass their own pesticide bans."

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Media contact:
Shaun Merritt
[press@gpo.ca], 416.648.3525