News - Earth Day Statement; celebrating Ontarios Pesticides Ban - Ministry of the Environment

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Earth Day Statement; celebrating Ontarios Pesticides Ban

Browse by Category (Check against delivery) Browse by Subject Matter Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Earth Day House Statement By the Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of the Environment April 22, 2009

Today marks the thirty-ninth anniversary of Earth Day. Explore Government Ever since 1970, this day has inspired people all around the world to pay attention to our environment and to celebrate our planet earth. Earth Days significance grows with each passing year. Contacts Whether we look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint at home or at work, plant a tree or pitch in on a neighbourhood clean-up, it makes us more aware of why we need to cherish our earth not just when April 22nd comes around, but every day. Interest and rising concern about the environmental challenges facing our planet are stirring action and a demand for change, on many different levels. Taking care of our earth is a serious responsibility one we all share. Mr. Speaker, our government has made the environment a key priority. We have been taking action on climate change with ambitious yet realistic targets to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Weve been backing those targets up with unprecedented investments in transit and with strong actions to support renewable energy and conservation through our proposed Green Energy and Green Economy Act. We have introduced new waste programs to deal with municipal hazardous or special wastes, electronic and electrical equipment wastes and, just recently a program for used tires. Together, we passed the Lake Simcoe Protection Act to create a gold standard for sustainability in protecting the lake and its watershed. And we recently introduced proposed legislation to reduce Toxic substances in our environment. Mr. Speaker, as you know, on Earth Day, our Pesticides Ban comes into effect. Ontario now has one of the toughest cosmetic pesticides bans in the world. I want to thank the many people and health organizations who have supported the ban the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, the Ontario College of Family Physicians, Cancer Care Ontario and Pesticide-Free Ontario, to name just a few. They know that by reducing the use of pesticides around our homes and yards, and in our parks and

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/news/STDU_106750.html[9/12/2011 6:41:23 PM]

News - Earth Day Statement; celebrating Ontarios Pesticides Ban - Ministry of the Environment

playgrounds, we can reduce the risk to our health and to the environment and protect the most vulnerable of our citizens, our children. Earlier today, I had the great pleasure of joining a number of our partners from Communities in Bloom at Torontos Allan Gardens. Communities in Bloom, with the help of master gardeners and horticulturalists, are helping teach Ontarians how to go pesticide-free and still enjoy healthy and green lawns and gardens. Mr. Speaker, we know people not only need information they are looking for green alternatives. They are looking for new green products and services so they can help do their part for our environment. So, we are also investing in research and innovation. Our investment of $480,000 will help establish the Cosmetic-Use Pesticides Research and Innovation Program, (CUPRI) a partnership with the Agricultural Adaptation Council, which will fund projects that encourage the development of bio-pesticides and support the growth of green industries and green landscape gardening. Everything we do, and all the choices we make how we live, what we eat, how we get to work and what we buy, will make a real difference to the kind of future our children and grandchildren will enjoy. Clean air, healthy land and safe water are a true and valuable legacy that we can pass on to the next generation and the generations to come. On Earth Day and every day, lets do all we can to support Ontarians in taking those important steps to protect our environment and make our great province stronger, cleaner and better for everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Filed with tags: pesticides, pesticides act

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QUEEN'S PRINTER FOR ONTARIO, 2010 LAST MODIFIED: 10/29/2010

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/news/STDU_106750.html[9/12/2011 6:41:23 PM]