NDP reaction to federal gutting of pesticide rules

Following the passage of Bill C-30, which included provisions to weaken Canada’s pesticide regulations, NDP MP Gord Johns, Critic for Health and Agriculture, issued the following statement:

“Today, the Liberal government decided to let corporate lobbyists write the rules on pesticides rather than prioritizing the health and safety of Canadians. 

Instead of passing proposed amendments that could have blunted some of the worst impacts of the bill, the Liberal government chose to shut down debate and fast-track the passing of their omnibus bill.

The Health Minister met with industry lobbyists 650 times since coming into office. The results of those meetings are now clear. Instead of listening to experts and letting scientific evidence determine pesticide regulations, the government is endangering human health and the environment by dramatically increasing possible exposure to toxic chemicals. These changes critically undermine Canada’s ability to restrict pesticides based on new science.

This decision is another example of the disturbing pattern from this government to put the interest of Big Business over everyday Canadians.

With these new rules, the government could re-introduce toxic chemicals with known unacceptable risks to Canada’s environment, impacting our rivers, forests, and communities. We already know that pesticide pollution hurts our biodiversity. By passing this bill without the necessary amendments that were proposed, this Liberal government is not only endangering human health, they also risk failing our international commitments to protect nature.

This fight isn’t over. New Democrats will continue to ensure that the pesticide regulations that are under threat in Bills C-30 and C-31 remain in place.”