VICTORIA - The Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides received over 8,700 submissions, the most a British Columbia parliamentary committee has ever received.
The all-party committee, tasked with inquiring into and issuing recommendations on the elimination of the unnecessary use of pesticides in the province, heard from regulators, toxicologists, health organizations, environmentalists, industry representatives, diverse business sectors, municipalities and local pesticide coalitions. The public had the opportunity to share their opinion by filling out an e-questionnaire or submitting a written or video submission.
The committee received 7,300 e-questionnaires, 1,400 written submissions from individuals and organizations, and 13 video submissions. The committee also heard from 23 invited stakeholders at six public meetings.
The committee is currently considering feedback from the public and stakeholders on the cosmetic use of pesticides to develop report recommendations. The committee expects to table its report during the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
For more information on the cosmetic pesticides consultation process, please visit the Committee’s website at: www.leg.bc.ca/pesticidescommittee
The members of the Special Committee on Cosmetic Pesticides are: Bill Bennett, MLA (Kootenay East), chair; Rob Fleming, MLA (Victoria-Swan Lake), deputy chair; Scott Fraser, MLA (Alberni-Pacific Rim); Murray Coell, MLA (Saanich North and the Islands); Michael Sather, MLA (Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows); John Slater, MLA (Boundary-Similkameen); Ben Stewart, MLA (Westside-Kelowna); John Yap, MLA (Richmond-Steveston).