Our group sent a survey (below) to all municipal candidates and invited them to appear live on the CKUW 95.9 FM radio program Wooden Spoons hosted by Mary Jane Eason to discuss their responses on Friday October 22 at 8:00 AM.
Mayoral Candidate Brad Gross and City Council Candidates Trevor Mueller (Mynarski Ward) and Deanne Crothers (St. James - Brooklands Ward) participated in the "live to air" broadcast this morning.
Mayoral Candidate Brad Gross and City Council Candidates Trevor Mueller (Mynarski Ward) and Deanne Crothers (St. James - Brooklands Ward) participated in the "live to air" broadcast this morning.
Cosmetic Use of Pesticides
Doctors Manitoba position statement:
In keeping with relevant policy resolutions of the Canadian Medical Association, Doctors Manitoba:
In keeping with relevant policy resolutions of the Canadian Medical Association, Doctors Manitoba:
• encourages all levels of government to promote safe and rational pesticide use by using the precautionary principle in determining the impact of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides and fungicidides.
• urges all levels of government to undertake a public education program to increase awareness of the potential risks associated with the cosmetic use of pesticides and promote safer alternatives to the use of chemicals.
• urges all levels of government to show leadership by refraining from the cosmetic use of pesticides and aggressively employing safer alternatives to the use of chemicals.
SURVEY QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES OF WINNIPEG CITY ELECTION 2010
ON THE USE OF PESTICIDES FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL AND LAWN CARE
1. On what do you base your opinions on the subject of pesticide use? Are you open to learning more about the issue?
Gordon Warren - Elmwood - I base my opinion on a cost-benefit analysis compared to other forms of mosquito control (zappers).
Dean Koshelanyk - Point Douglas - Growing up on a certified organic farm gave me great insight into the alternative forms of pesticides and herbicides that do not use harsh or harmful chemical additives. My opinions are based on the education I received growing up as well as the many articles I read on the subject on the internet. There is always room for everyone to learn more.
Mike Pagtakhan - Point Douglas - I am a supporter of utilizing organic pesticides and natural biological controls. I am absolutely open to learning more about the issue.
Shane Nestruck - Fort Rouge - I have asthma and have been aware and been aware of the potential contribution chemical pesticides have on health for decades. I'm always looking for more and more precise information.
Jenny Gerbasi - Fort Rouge - I have heard the advice of the Canadian Cancer Society and medical experts. I am always open to learning more.
Harvey Smith - Daniel Mac - I was the councilor who moved a motion when I was on the standing committee of Protection and Community Service to form a sub committee to look at eliminating non-essential pesticide use. However, my fellow councilors put me on another standing committee and it was left to Councillor Gerbasi to carry the fight. However, I was not happy with the decision of the sub committee. I would support a by-law similar to the one in Toronto. Not one councillor supported my position for a stronger by-law. I hope that will change with this election.
My opinion was formed from reading information put out by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Livio Ciaralli - Charleswood-Tuxedo - Media Reports.
Brian Olynik - North Kildonan - I am always wanting to learn more about issues that impact our residents not only in North Kildonan, but also the City of Winnipeg. This includes the subject of pesticide use.
Ross Eadie - Mynarski - There is always more to learn about pesticides. So, yes I am open to that education. My opinion about pesticides has a few parts:
A) I quit smoking almost ten years ago because my lungs needed the break, and my kids did not need to learn the bad habit from me. I find it very hard to breathe when the cosmetic fertilizer and pesticide releases into the air during and after a rain. Must be something bad for us in that release.
B) Pesticides and other toxins get into our food causing problems like an inability to concentrate. We eat organic food whenever possible in our household. Cancer is always a threat to humans from toxins.
C) My wife constantly warns our kids, steers the dogs away and will not go near our lawn where cosmetic pesticides are being used by our neighbours. I am with her on this avoidance of possible contamination.
On an opposite side:
D) Insects can be hazardous to our health in contrast to the pesticides. We had to use a pesticide to kill a severe wasp problem with our house before we could deal with the main issue of a new roof. Therefore, some kind of balance needs to be found to protect humans from both sides.
Trevor Mueller - Mynarski * - On the potential of carrying disease, the level of nuisance/concern for the citizen, and the effectiveness and potential level and range of side effects with use. Learning is an ongoing process and I would be open to hearing more.
Fred Morris St James-Brooklands - I am open to learning more. I will base my decisions on expert opinion and public consultation
Deanne Crothers - St. James Brooklands * - In all honesty, I would say I base my opinions on personal beliefs. In my home, we consume organic products, almost entirely, so I'm likely more biased towards pesticides than against them. However, I'm always open to hearing another view point and taking from it what I may.
Scott Fielding - St. James - Brooklands - I have heard from many residents about issues pertaining to fogging for mosquitoes and the unsightly look of dandelions in neighboring properties. I believe until a cost effective alternative is found that the status quo for fogging and dandelion control must be sustained.
Vlad Kowalyk - Transcona - My opinions are based on personal research as well as information relayed by the media and I am open to learning more about the issue.
2. Are you prepared to consider alternatives to the use of pesticides for lawn care and mosquito control in terms of health, environment and cost effectiveness?
Nelson Sanderson: Elmwood - I would prepared to use alternative such as Dragon fly and bat to kill mosquitoes. Pesticides i am not to familiar with.
Gordon Warren - Elmwood - Absolutely!
Dean Koshelanyk - Point Douglas - I am not only prepared to consider alternatives I am prepared to offer alternatives and lead the effort to change our ways where it is actually possible and reasonable to do so.
Mike Pagtakhan - Point Douglas - I have a perennial garden in my front yard because I believe in a diversified eco-yard. I mulch and use leaf mold to mulch around my garden. As for mosquito control, really do hate mosquitoes and am not opposed to fogging when population levels become uncomfortable. I believe the city needs to be doing more in the way of biological control for certain.
Shane Nestruck Fort Rouge - Cosmetic use of pesticides must be banned...made illegal! Mosquito abatement like filling in breeding places around town and larvaciding need to get higher attention. And I think everybody could use a lot more information about alternatives. P.S. I had a gazebo with geo-disc type design over my deck from 1988-2003. Now that is a real solution to mosquitoes!
Jenny Gerbasi - Fort Rouge - Yes.
Harvey Smith - Daniel Mac - Definitely.
Livio Ciaralli - Charleswood-Tuxedo - Yes, of course.
Brian Olynik - North Kildonan - Yes.
Ross Eadie - Mynarski - Yes. In our yard, we do not use cosmetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. We have the greenest grass on our block without using that stuff. Mulching the grass and some of the leafs with some compost sprinkled around does wonders. Thank goodness we have not had to use chemical to deal with elm disease given we band our trees when needed. Of course aerating is needed.
We decided to lift our buffer zone to deal with already hatched mosquitoes despite a real concern for human health. We do lock all windows and doors to prevent exposure. We lifted the buffer when hearing reports that the chemical dissipates shortly after fogging.
Fixing our roof and installing much better eavestroughing will get rid of standing water used by those mosquitoes. We also brush off or rake off any water on the ground in our yard. Wish others would be as careful.
Our family is not against using other more effective means to deal with mosquitoes. Release of dragon flies and other methods like maybe BLT is it called?
Trevor Mueller - Mynarski - Yes
Fred Morris - St James - Brooklands - We should review all mosquito and lawn care policies every winter and make changes for the following summer.
Deanne Crothers - St. James - Brooklands - Absolutely.
Scott Fielding - St. James - Brooklands - Yes, as long as the alternatives are cost effective for the taxpayers.
Vlad Kowalyk - Transcona - Yes, the incidence of respiratory related health problems and allergies are on the rise and we need to investigate natural alternatives to pesticides.
3. How do you see Winnipeg handling the pesticide issue going forward?
Nelson Sanderson - Elmwood - I would have to what has been tried and worked and not work when it come to buffer zones.
Gordon Warren - Elmwood - I don't really have much to offer in the way of expertise in this area. All I know is that the zapper at our family's cabin does an adequate job after the grass is cut. It must have killed 100,000 in one weekend; the pile was so high!
Dean Koshelanyk - Point Douglas - Your question makes no sense. You don’t stipulate what you think “the pesticide issue” is and I am left wondering what you could possibly mean considering the many things that are referenced above. I will not make assumptions into your meaning and therefore will not supply an answer that could at best be a guess.
Mike Pagtakhan - Point Douglas - We tried a few years back to ban cosmetic lawn pesticide. Instead an education campaign was undertaken. The Province of MB, I think needs to demonstrate leadership to ban cosmetic pesticide use on lawns. I think organic pesticide use on lawns would be okay, such as corn gluten.
Shane Nestruck - Fort Rouge - We really need LEADERSHIP from the medical community! If we can get the whole nation taking flue shots we can educate the population about the bad effects of pesticides.
Jenny Gerbasi - Fort Rouge - I believe we should move forward with a ban on cosmetic pesticides. The best approach would be a provincial ban. Right now there is a lack of political will at the provincial and the city level and the leadership on this issue has been lacking. I believe there needs to be an extensive public education/consultative process leading up to the ban.
Harvey Smith - Daniel MacIntyre - I will try to get back on the Protection and Community Service Committee and restructure the sub-committee to address the issue.
Livio Ciaralli - Charleswood-Tuxedo - We must find a solution that stops pitting neighbors against each other . We must find a solution that takes into consideration the health risks some people are more susceptible to. We must invest tin Research and Development at the university level to find a Made in Manitoba solution to deal with the skeeter issue. As far as lawn care is concerned, I would like to see an end to chemical fertilizers so people can have a lush lawn. Nothing wrong with a rock garden and Prairie flora.
Brian Olynik - North Kildonan - I believe we have to continue to research the area of pesticide use to see if there are safer alternatives that can be used that will have the same outcome.
Ross Eadie - Mynarski - I am hoping we can bring enough people together in this city to educate the population on the hazards of cosmetic pesticide use. There are organic nontoxic ways of creating that beautiful lawn, and we should seriously consider banning this use in Winnipeg. The toxins can run off into our rivers which I would like to use for more recreation. Have we actually explored all the ways of dealing with pests? The City of Winnipeg has experts.
P.S. - the little lawn sign warning us really does nothing when a wind moves the fumes along in the air.
Trevor Mueller - Mynarski - Winnipeg should always be informed on the latest methods and side effects and proceed with the best method for the city and its citizens.
Fred Morris St James-Brookland - Hopefully with common sense and annual off season reviews. It makes no sense to try and change any procedures during the summer
Deanne Crothers - St. James Brooklands - We've had the same approach for quite some time. It works to some degree, of course, but at what cost? I don't think we should be angered by looking at alternatives. If there is something out there that would be just as effective, or similar in effect, it doesn't hurt to investigate and consider our options.
Scott Fielding - St. James - Brookland - As you know the issue of buffer zones and fogging with malathion was a hot button issue this past summer. I believe that in future years there will be more debate about other alternatives and current practices.
Vlad Kowalyk - Transcona - City Council must make it a priority to investigate/develop safe alternatives to pesticides. More emphasis on planning and foresight in pest control is needed so that conditions are not allowed to escalate to a level where it becomes a public safety hazard ie. mosquitoes whereby we are forced to use pesticides as a quick and easy interim fix. A safe alternative to pesticides is needed that will continuously control pests to an acceptable level.
Brad Gross *
No pesticides ban them in city limits, for Mosquitoes the use of dragon fly s, and bats will be used for more effective, safer alternative.
Sam Katz
On behalf of Sam and the entire Re-elect Sam Katz Campaign Team, I would like to thank you for raising your concerns about mosquito control in Winnipeg. Our summers are never long enough and mosquitoes prevent all of us from enjoying our parks, playing sports and participating in outdoor activities. And at the same time, many citizens have also expressed concerns regarding exposure to pesticide use to control the population.
For this reason, Sam has taken steps to ensure that the City of Winnipeg’s Insect Control Branch is able to more quickly and efficiently conduct mosquito fogging activities, to provide for the best coverage possible and help citizens enjoy all that a Winnipeg summer has to offer with a goal to significantly reduce the use of pesticides and move to a 100% biological larvaciding program by 2012. He has always held an open opinion for the city to explore alternatives to pesticides to control the adult mosquito population and always looks forward to new and innovative alternative ideas from experts and concerned citizens alike.
On July 21, 2010, as a result of a motion the Mayor brought forward to address the mosquito problem, Council voted in favour of requesting the Province of Manitoba to make changes to the Pesticide Use Permit to:
1. reduce the mandatory size of buffer zones
2. allow the City’s annual fogging program to begin after only two consecutive days of 25 or more nuisance mosquitoes to ensure that fogging crews can commence their work earlier in the mosquito season; and
3. reduce the initial notice time to commence the City’s fogging program from 48 hours to 24 hours, which allows the Insect Control Branch to be more responsive when the adult nuisance mosquito population is high.
The Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg are currently working together to gather the data required to implement these requested changes. In fact, the City has already been advised that the Province has granted the request to reduce the initial notice time from 48 hours to 24 hours, which will commence in the summer of 2011.
In addition, the City of Winnipeg’s Insect Control Branch is undertaking the following activities to ensure the Mosquito Control Program addresses the needs of Winnipeggers:
4. reviewing and updating the outdated Anti-Pesticide Registrant Process to minimize potential abuses of the system and ensure that the City requires at least as much information from a citizen who wishes to register for a buffer zone as Blockbuster requires to rent a movie;
5. increasing the service level to ensure that the entire City can be fogged in 2-3 days, instead of the current 4-5 day cycle; and
6. transitioning to a 100% biological larviciding program by 2012 (two years earlier than originally planned)
Judy Wasylycia-Leis
1. On what do you base your opinions on the subject of pesticide use? Are you open to learning more about the issue?
I base my opinions regarding pesticide use on two factors: First, the available research that tells us that cosmetic and other unnecessary uses of environmental chemicals have a direct and measurable impact on both human health and the health of our environment, and secondly, I base my decisions on what I would want for my own family. Our families and children deserve to have their air, water and soil protected.
2. Are you prepared to consider alternatives to the use of pesticides for lawn care and mosquito control in terms of health, environment and cost effectiveness?
Yes. Other cities are beginning to adopt more responsible policies when it comes to the use of pesticides and Winnipeg must keep pace.
3. How do you see Winnipeg handling the pesticide issue going forward?
This has never been an easy issue in Winnipeg. It's clear that the recent approach at City Hall around addressing the issue is to simply avoid it, and as Mayor I want to see that changed. It doesn't serve anyone's interest to have neighbours pitted against neighbours each year during mosquito season. We need to have a transparent discussion on this issue in Winnipeg. I've said that repeatedly during this campaign. People know our summers are short, and they want to enjoy being outdoors. I support that view. But I consider concerns raised around the use of chemical pesticides as legitimate. I believe the discussion must be guided by science and fact, and we need to be much more open at City Hall around exploring effective alternatives. We need to be unafraid to have an open discussion as a community, and I believe all residents will be ultimately better served in the process.
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For City of Winnipeg Council Meeting (July 21, 2010) Malathion Fogging Debate 2010 videoclips visit the Pesticides Playlist on our Beyond ToXiCiTi YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/BeyondToXiCiti
To join Beyond ToxiCity and keep abreast of upcoming meetings and the latest "breaking news" please visit the Beyond-ToxiCity Google Groups Page to become a member. Sign into Google Groups (you will need to sign up for a Google Account) and then you can forward all mail from that Gmail account to your regular address or go into the Groups settings and change which address is signed up, etc. http://groups.google.ca/group/beyond-toxicity
To join Beyond ToxiCity and keep abreast of upcoming meetings and the latest "breaking news" please visit the Beyond-ToxiCity Google Groups Page to become a member. Sign into Google Groups (you will need to sign up for a Google Account) and then you can forward all mail from that Gmail account to your regular address or go into the Groups settings and change which address is signed up, etc. http://groups.google.ca/group/beyond-toxicity
Hmmm, I like this post very much. I really like the way you have presented everything in a sequential and structural manner. Very good!
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