Key Vote: Pesticide Ban

Pesticides in use in Toronto before the bylaw included 2,4-D, a component of Agent Orange. Other pesticides in use were linked to groundwater contamination, cancer, and spontaneous abortion. Toronto Public Health counseled that precautionary steps against pesticide be taken.

During the run up to the vote, the Toronto Environmental Coalition – actually a representative of the pesticide companies and fronted by the notorious City Hall insider Jeffrey Lyons – tried to pressure councillors known to be hostile to their position. Meanwhile, this group attempted to steal the credibility of the Toronto Environmental Alliance, a respected environmental group. Tactics ranging from impersonation to intimidation did not work and this important law is now on the books.

Vote Essentials:
That a ban be enforced on certain pesticides via fines, that pesticides be allowed in cases of infestation, and that this bylaw be fully implemented by 2005.

Voting FOR toxic pesticides: Ashton, Flint, Ford, Holyday, Korwin-Kuczynski, Lindsay Luby, Mammoliti, Minnan-Wong, Nunziata, Shaw, Shiner, Soknacki, Sutherland

Voting AGAINST toxic pesticides: Altobello, Augimeri, Balkissoon, Berardinetti, Bussin, Cho, Chow, Di Giorgio, Duguid, Filion, Hall, Johnston, I. Jones, L. Jones, Lastman, Li Preti, McConnell, Mihevc, Milczyn, Miller, Moscoe, Ootes, Pantalone, Pitfield, Rae, Silva, Tziretas, Walker

Vote Date: May 2003

Vote Specifics: Amendment 2 (g) to Clause No. 1 of Report No. 3 of The Board of Health, headed "Proposed Pesticide By-law"

For more information, see the City Council Minutes. (PDF file opens in a new window.)