HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-07-039 - Environment Comm Rec: Reg of Wat Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction Social Marketing Campaign - 2007 Cost Sharing RequestReport To: Councillor C. Weylie, Chair and Members of the Development
and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: March 5, 2007
Submitted By: Environmental Committee
Prepared By: Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator - ext 2278
wards} Involved: All
Date of Report: February 26, 2007
Report No.: CRPS-07-039
Subject: Environmental Committee Recommendation: Region of
Waterloo Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction Social Marketing
Campaign - 2007 Cost Sharing Request.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener recognizes the public's growing concern regarding the use of
pesticides, involuntary exposure and the potential effect on the health of humans and
other non-target species; and,
That continuing public education must remain a key initiative in efforts to encourage the
reduction of the non-essential use of pesticides in our community; and,
That the City continues to participate incost-sharing with 50% by area municipalities and
50% by the Regional Municipality of waterloo, and approve the request of the Region for
a financial contribution in the amount of $14,462.78 for 2007, Year 4 of the cost-shared
community-based social marketing (CBSM} campaign; and further,
That Kitchener's contribution be contingent upon cost-sharing by all area municipalities.
BACKGROUND:
In the fall of 2003, and winters of 2004 and 2006 the City of Kitchener reviewed and endorsed
the Region of Waterloo cost-sharing educational (community-based social marketing) campaign
that encourages residents to reduce the amount of pesticides they use. In March 2006, the
Region passed the Pesticide Reduction By-law, which directly restricts the use of pesticides
during certain times of the year. The Pesticide Reduction By-law came into effect on January 1,
2007; however, it should be noted that the public education campaign is a separately funded
entity.
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REPORT:
At the February 22, 2007 Environmental Committee meeting, Mr. Tom Bird, Region of Waterloo
Public Health Department, presented the Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction Social Marketing
Campaign results for 2006 and requested Kitchener's continued support by financially
contributing to the fourth year of the campaign. Mr. Bird advised that Regional Staff evaluated
the educational campaign in 2006, the results of which showed an increase in the use of the
lawn care methods that were being promoted. Given this, the Region is looking to continue the
campaign through to 2010 with Regional funding continuing to account for 50% of total costs,
with the remaining 50% to be shared by area municipalities. Mr. Bird outlined that Kitchener is
being requested to contribute $14,462.78 for 2007, which was arrived at by prorating 50% of the
estimated costs based on the populations of the area municipalities.
At the February 22, 2007 meeting, Environmental Committee members voiced their support for
the City's continued involvement in this program and voted to endorse the recommendation
outlined in Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-07-028.
Attached as a reference is DTS-07-028, which outlines the Region's 2007 Non-Essential
Pesticide Reduction Social Marketing Campaign funding request.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Kitchener is being requested to contribute $14,462.78 for 2007, based on: 50% of the total costs
being funded by the Region; and, the 50% balance of the estimated costs being shared among
the local area municipalities on a basis prorated by population. Staff is recommending, and the
Environmental Committee has endorsed, that any contribution be contingent on cost-sharing by
all area municipalities.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator