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Pud By Steve Neasesnease@haltonsearch.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Once again we are being subjected to lettersfrom supporters of a pesticide ban who think thatthe righteousness of their cause trumps the dem-ocratic process.

It is easy to support democracy when the willof the majority corresponds to your own beliefs.The true test of democracy comes when youaccede to majority rule even if you think (perhapspassionately) that the majority is wrong.

Even though a clear majority (nearly 1,000voters) voted against banning pesticides in thereferendum held during the municipal electionbefore last, Oakville Town Council is once againdebating a pesticide ban, and will very likely enactone.

Town Council reminds me of the Quebec sep-aratists who don’t know how to take No for ananswer.

In fact they are worse, since at least the sepa-ratists intend to hold one referendum afteranother until they get the result they want, whileTown Council apparently will simply ignore theresults of the only chance given to all Oakvillevoters to express their opinion on this subject.

We can debate endlessly about the dangers ofpesticides, but that is not the point.

I voted against a pesticide ban in the referen-dum. This was not a vote either for or against theuse of pesticides, but rather a vote against havingTown Council dictate to me what I can or cannotdo with perfectly legal substances on my ownproperty. Apparently a majority of the referen-dum voters agreed with me.

If Town Council now passes a bylaw banningpesticide use, they are telling everyone who votedin the last referendum that they may as well nothave bothered.

During the next municipal election, there willno doubt be various expressions of dismay at theever declining voter turnout.

Why should this be a surprise whenCouncillors, by their actions, indicate that onceelected they couldn’t care less about the will ofthe majority?

If on Feb. 5 Town Council enacts a pesticideban, I shall be thoroughly disgusted. I may nevervote again.

DAVID J. SANDERS (PH.D.)

Pesticide ban tramples democracy

I am a music teacher who welcomes a large num-ber of young students to my studio every week for les-sons.

I have noticed an unusually high number whosuffer from asthma and even one who has had a child-hood cancer.

Our Prime Minister’s initiative to screenCanadians to discover the concentrations of noxiouschemicals in our bodies is a wake up call to all of usto minimize our use of chemical pesticides.

My doctor is convinced that the statistics provethat the incidence of disease to humans and pets isgreater where pesticides are used on gardens andparks.

The cosmetic use of these pesticides on ourOakville lawns should therefore be banned.

There are many other ways to maintain fine gar-dens. I myself am proud to have a back lawn full ofviolets and other interesting plants every year.

JEAN GRIEVE

Pesticide ban is warranted

In the Wednesday, Jan. 31 letter to the editor, GailVolterra wonders “What is the “scientific” informa-tion which the supporters of pesticides claim is moreimportant than that of the Cancer Society and FamilyPhysicians?”

She asks a very good question.Fortunately there is an answer at the Health

Canada website www.pmra-arla.gc.ca/english/high-lights/in20060816-e.html

By way of background, Health Canada is anagency of the Federal Government and has numer-ous roles including that of guardian/regulatorthrough a stewardship role that involves both pro-tecting Canadians and facilitating the provision ofproducts vital to the health and well-being ofCanadian citizens.

Health Canada regulates and approves the use ofthousands of products, including: biologics, con-sumer goods, foods, medical devices, natural healthproducts, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and toxic sub-

stances.Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory

Agency is responsible for regulation and testing ofpesticides in Canada. The website lists the testingdone on pesticides and responds to frequently askedquestions regarding the use of pesticides. It is far toodetailed to summarize here other than to say that 2-4D continues to be approved for use.

Health Canada is the federal agency responsiblefor helping the people of Canada maintain andimprove their health. I and all Canadians (whetherthey realize it or not) rely on their testing and theirconclusions.

As they have the scientific resources and muscleto carry-out their mandate, I suggest we are wellserved by relying on their conclusions.

There is a lot of misinformation about pesticides.I urge the citizens of Oakville to refer to the pmrawebsite to make themselves better informed.

ROD BORSTMAYER

Weeding through pesticide misinformation