Surrey Residents Deserve to be Protected from Toxins, Says NDP
SURREY- The New Democrats support efforts to ban cosmetic pesticides in Surrey and say it’s time the Campbell government stepped up to protect the health and safety of all British Columbians.
Guy Gentner“We have been calling on government for smart regulation of toxins to reduce cancer and other diseases,” said Guy Gentner, New Democrat MLA for Delta North. “Now we see students concerned that toxic chemicals are threatening the health and safety of their community.”
Gentner was reacting to a presentation from a group of Kwantlen PolytechnicUniversity students who appeared before Surrey council earlier this week in their push for a ban on cosmetic pesticides.
“Recent reports attribute as many as 24,000 new cases of cancer in Canada each year to pollutants, and toxic chemicals add an estimated $9.1 billion a year to national health care costs,” said Gentner. “With pesticide poisonings and skyrocketing asthma rates, the devastating impact of toxins clearly requires urgent action from the Campbell government.”
Sue Hammell“Through strong research and activism these students have shown incredible leadership in their plight to ban cosmetic pesticides,” said Sue Hammell, New Democrat MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers. "It’s time the Campbell government showed some leadership and passed legislation to protect the health and safety of British Columbians and our environment.”
The Campbell government rejected a bill the NDP tabled in November 2007 that would have banned toxic substances that are prohibited in other OECD nations, Canadian provinces and U.S. states. The Private Member’s Bill included a ban on pesticides for residential or cosmetic use, on public lands, and around children, in schools and daycares.
