Pesticide-Free Municipalities

In BC municipalities have the right to pass bylaws restricting the cosmetic use of pesticides.  Implementing a cosmetic pesticide bylaw can protect the well-being of citizens.  Over 160 Canadian municipalities and two provinces (Quebec and Ontario) have passed pesticide-restricting bylaws. 

 

A bylaw that regulates the cosmetic or non-essential use of pesticides for home lawns and gardens and all public lands is an obvious place where municipalities can reduce the environmental and health consequences of pesticides. There are many effective and affordable alternatives to pesticides, which homeowners, municipalities and landscaping companies can use

 

In 2007, the CRD Roundtable on the Environment — after seven years of research, analysis, discussion and public consultation — prepared a Model Pesticide Use Control Bylaw.

 

Create equal bylaws

Municipalities can modify the model bylaw to meet local needs, but Pesticide-Free CRD recommends that staying close to the model bylaw simplifies administration, reduces costs, creates a level playing field for all CRD residents, and protects human health and the environment in the way that was originally intended.

·  Our review of local bylaws.

Considering a pesticide use bylaws?