HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-08-088 - Enviroment Comm Rec: Reg Wat Pesticide Reduction Marketing Campaign - Cost ShareReport To: Councillor C. Weylie, Chair and Members of the Development
and Technical Services Committee
Date of Meeting: June 16, 2008
Submitted By: Environmental Committee
Prepared By: Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator - 741-2278
ward(s~ Involved: All
Date of Report: May 20, 2008
Report No.: CRPS-08-088
Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
REGION OF WATERLOO NON-ESSENTIAL PESTICIDE
REDUCTION SOCIAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN - 2008 TO
2010 COST SHARI NG REQUEST.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener recognizes the public's 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 $15,507.87 for 2008, $15,972.70 for 2009, and
$10,597.48 for 2010, which represents Years 5-7 of the cost-shared community-based
social marketing (CBSM} campaign; and,
That Kitchener's contribution be contingent upon cost-sharing by all area municipalities;
and further,
That Kitchener's funding commitment to the CBSM campaign for 2009 and 2010 be
subject to Council's annual budget deliberation process.
BACKGROUND:
In the fall of 2003, and winters of 2004, 2006 and 2007 the City of Kitchener has 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.
REPORT:
At the May 15, 2008 Environmental Committee meeting, the Committee considered Region of
Waterloo Public Health Department report PH-07-056, dated November 6, 2007 regarding the
Regional Municipality of Waterloo's Non-Essential Pesticide Reduction Social Marketing
Campaign. The Committee was advised that the Region of Waterloo is planning to continue the
Social Marketing Campaign through to 2010, based on the funding formula of 50% Region of
Waterloo funding and 50% funding from local area municipalities on a per capita basis. As in
previous years, the Campaign will focus on decreasing pesticide use while improving the uptake
of effective lawn care practices; with strategies that include: displays at community events,
staffed booths at garden centres, neighbourhood visits, and community workshops. The Social
Marketing Campaign is now well established and the public has begun to take up the challenge
of using good cultural practices to create a healthy lawn using fewer pesticides. Accordingly,
the City of Kitchener is being requested to provide funding to the Campaign through to 2010;
contingent upon the continued cost-sharing by all local area municipalities.
The Environmental Committee was further advised that on April 22, 2008, the Ontario Minister
of the Environment introduced Bill 64, which if approved, would amend the Pesticides Act to
prohibit the use and sale of pesticides used for cosmetic (non-essential} purposes. However,
the timing of when the province's ban would take effect depends on the passage of Bill 64 by
the Ontario Legislature. Accordingly, if Bill 64 is approved, the Regional Pesticide Reduction
Task Force will need to meet to assess the impact of the provincial ban on the Social Marketing
Campaign. Notwithstanding the provincial ban, a need would remain to continue to educate the
public on alternative approaches to lawn care maintenance.
Following a brief discussion, the Environmental Committee expressed support for the City's
continued involvement in the Social Marketing Campaign and voted to endorse the
recommendation outlined herein.
Attached for this Committee's reference is a copy of Region of Waterloo Public Health
Department report PH-07-056.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The City of Kitchener is being requested to contribute $15,507.87 for 2008, $15,972.70 for
2009, and $10,597.48 for 2010 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. In
addition, the City's funding commitment for the Social Marketing Campaign would be subject to
Council's annual budget deliberation process and could be amended or discontinued in
response to the province's proposed ban.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator