NEWS RELEASE

HRM Applauds Province for Taking a Page from its By-Laws on Pesticides

(Tuesday, May 4, 2010) – For a decade, HRM and its citizens have followed strict pesticide by-laws.  Mayor Peter Kelly commended the province for following suit through legislation tabled today (May 4) introducing a province-wide ban for Nova Scotia. 

“This legislation is good for the environmental health of residents today and for future generations,” said HRM Mayor Peter Kelly.  “We are glad that our region was able to open the door to and lay the foundation for good principles and alternatives regarding pesticide use.”

The Mayor also welcomed the provincial education and promotional efforts that will be needed once this legislation is proclaimed and put in place.  The province-wide measures will ease some of HRM’s budgetary requirements for the educational needs surrounding pesticide use.

In last year’s annual update on Pesticide By–Law P-800 Respecting the Regulation of Pesticides, Herbicides and Insecticides, HRM noted that, “there is a potential opportunity for the Nova Scotia Department of Environment to enact legislation which provides province-wide consistency and enhanced human health and environmental protection by restricting cosmetic pesticide use and sales across the province.”

“This legislation certainly speaks to the intent and spirit of the work carried out in HRM over the past decade,” said Richard MacLellan, Manager, Sustainable Environment Management Office.  “It also addresses Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act aim to “have one of the cleanest and most sustainable environments in the world by 2020’.  This is something HRM can definitely support as it continues to work to become a “greener” community.”

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Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality

490-4010

Richard MacLellan, Manager

Sustainable Environment Management Office

490-6056