Memo to: Toronto Chapter
From: Tony DiGiovanni
Re: City of Toronto public meetings with respect to possible bans on pesticides for private and public properties
The City of Toronto has scheduled six public meetings next week to discuss bylaw options which would restrict pesticide use on all properties including private property. This will impact the ability of all homeowners and industry members to control insects and weeds.
Landscape Ontario believes that pesticide use can be minimized through a focus on optimum horticultural practices and Integrated Pest Management. Banning pesticide use without effective alternatives will cause unnecessary damage to the landscape and the industry. We are promoting IPM-PHC Accreditation as the common ground solution to this issue. Please see www.planthealthcare.ca for our position.
It is important to show up at these meetings or better still have your Toronto customers attend these meetings in order to provide some balance to the discussion. The activists have been actively promoting these meetings to their constituents.
Six public meetings have been scheduled from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Monday, May 13, 2002
Metro Hall – Council Chambers
55 John Street, Toronto
(south east corner of King & John, 2 blocks east of Spadina)
York Civic Centre – Council Chambers
2700 Eglinton Avenue West, York
(1 block west of Keele, north side)
Tuesday, May 14, 2002
North York Civic Centre – Council Chambers
5100 Yonge Street, North York
(approximately 3 blocks north of Sheppard, west side, North
York Centre subway station)
Etobicoke Civic Centre – Council Chambers
399 The West Mall, Etobicoke
(south east corner of Burnhamthorpe & The West Mall)
Wednesday, May 15, 2002
Scarborough Civic Centre – Council Chambers
150 Borough Drive, Scarborough
(north west corner of McCowan & Ellesmere; Scarborough Town
Centre LRT station)
East York Civic Centre – Council Chambers
850 Coxwell Avenue, East York
(north west corner of Coxwell & Mortimer)
The format of the meetings will consist of brief presentations from the board of health, industry and environmental activists followed by break out groups which will examine a number of by-law options.
