Fw: Pesticide Election Strategy & Tactics (PEST) - Update
Nov 13, 2000Election 2000 - Pesticide Election Strategy & Tactics (PEST)
Protection of the human environment has jumped to number three in the
recent polls concerning the public in Canada. Clearly, concern among
the voting public about this issue is at an all time high and
citizens are looking for environmental leadership.
The Liberal Party of Canada Biennial Convention on March 16-19 2000
adopted Priority Resolution 113 calling for an IMMEDIATE moratorium
on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides. The vague response of the
Liberal Government in "Red Book III" on this issue is appalling and
unacceptable. Furthermore, Allan Rock's official government response
to Charles Caccia's Report on Pesticides (May 1999) was an insult to
the democratic process which demanded 'real' and meaningful change
with Canada's antiquated pesticide policies.
The following is a list of Election 2000 action items that you can
help with to raise the profile and concerns over the unnecessary use
of landscaping pesticide in our communities:
_____________________________________________
Action # 1 - Attend All Candidates Meetings
Attend the all candidates meetings with like-mined friends and ask
questions such as:
* Since a moratorium on cosmetic pesticide use is an issue
not only with broad public support, but a priority resolution from
the grassroots of the Liberal Party of Canada itself why is the
Liberal Government ignoring it.
* "The Liberal Plan" claims to reinvest in the environment.
When is comes to lawn pesticides and protecting public health will
the Liberals be employing corporate values above citizen values?
* "The Liberal Plan" promises to "re-evaluate lawn
pesticides". The Pest Management Regulatory Agency's (PMRA) so called
"review" of 2,4-D, Canada's most commonly used herbicide, is now
running over twenty (20) years without conclusion. How long does the
government plan to "re-evaluate lawn pesticides"?
* Do you agree that the recent explicit acknowledgement by
the EPA - that there are no methods in existence to assess the health
risks of MIXTURES OF CHEMICALS - completely invalidates the claims by
the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Canada that any possible
health risks from pesticides registered for use in Canada have been
assessed and satisfactorily accounted for with appropriate margins of
error? If not, why not?
* "Many people are being made immediately ill in their homes
from involuntary exposures to pesticides from cosmetic lawn care.
Many communities are pleading for relief from these exposures. Will
you endorse our safety of person? Will you hear our pain? Will you
ban all non-essential pesticide use and compensate those who have
been needlessly sensitized to them?"
* To insure the public's ability to avoid harmful substances,
and guarantee the prompt and appropriate delivery of hospital
emergency room care, will you support the full disclosure of 100% of
the ingredients, listed on the labels, in all pesticide formulations
sold in Canada?
_____________________________________________
Action # 2 - Call or E-mail Candidates in Your Riding
Call candidates in your riding and ask them the following questions:
* Ask them to state their position on banning synthetic
landscaping pesticides.
* Ask them if they will support and moratorium on cosmetic
pesticide use In Canada until they are proven safe?
* If not, ask them what they (or their party) plan to do
about protecting the public health from the unnecessary exposure to
cosmetic pesticides?
_____________________________________________
Action # 3 - Green Election 2000
Call candidates in your riding and ask them to endorse the "green
election platform" if elected. Get them to sign off in writing. For
the "green election platform" go to:
http://www.greenelection.org/
_____________________________________________
Action # 4 - Fixing Trade Agreements
If the forces behind the World Trade Organization (WTO) get their
way, federal, provincial and even municipal politics could soon be
irrelevant, including control over pesticides. Trade agreements such
as NAFTA and GATS are designed to protect the interests of global
corporations. You can ask candidates the following questions:
* If elected, Will you and your party ensure Canada
withdraws from new negotiations on the GATS at the World Trade
Organization?
* Will you and your party commit to working towards a new
fair trade agreements that puts the needs of people and the
environment before the needs of corporations?
_____________________________________________
Action # 5 - Write Letters to the Editor
You can write an open letter to the editor of your local newspapers
asking the parties to endorse the "green election platform" or raise
a specific issue relating to pesticides.
_____________________________________________
Action # 6 - Call or E-mail Radio Talk Shows
You can call in or e-mail radio talk shows on Election 2000 and raise
questions about pesticides. CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup will
have one final show on November 19th at Federation Hall, University
of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario
CBC Radio's Cross Country Checkup
http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/checkup/
Newfoundland: 5:36 - 7:30 pm
Atlantic: 5:06 - 7:00 pm
Eastern: 4:06 - 6:00 pm
Central: 3:06 - 5:00 pm
Mountain: 2:06 - 4:00 pm
Pacific: 1:06 - 3:00 pm
_____________________________________________
Action # 7 - Post Questions on Election Discussion Groups
You can post questions on election 2000 discussion groups about the
environment and protecting peoples health from pesticides.
_____________________________________________
Action # 8 - Circulate This E-mail
Circulate this e-mail widely to your friends and like-minded networks.
_____________________________________________
Action # 9 - Create Dialogue & Discussion
Talk to neighbours, friends and anybody who will listen and ask them
if they are concerned about the environment and pesticides as an
election issue. Ask them which party, if any, they feel is most
effectively addressing this issue.
_____________________________________________
Action # 10 - Get Involved With The Party in Power
If we want to influence the political decisions that are made on our
behalf we need think about organizing WITHIN the political party
system. This will give us additional leverage and also an
opportunity to participate directly in the development of party policy.
If you want to discuss this further, please contact Marsha at
514-487-4305 or <nufisnuf@pubnix.net
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Democracy is NOT a Spectator Sport
_____________________________________________
Regardless of the election the government needs to be reminded that
the pesticide issue will not go away and we will not let them have
any peace until they listen and act upon our concerns. Thanks to your
efforts, tremendous progress has been achieved so far.
We must continue keep the pressure on long after this election
campaign. Thank you for your support and continued persistence.
Marsha and Mike
_____________________________________________
Election Resources and References
Sierra Club of Canada - Green Grades on Environmental Promises
http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/green-election/
Green Election 2000
http://www.greenelection.org/
Canadians Against Pesticides
http://www.canadiansagainstpesticides.20m.com/
Council of Canadians - This Election, Take Back The Agenda
http://www.canadians.org/
Elections Canada
http://www.elections.ca/
Canadian Debate
http://CanadianDebate.com
Canadian Labour Congress
http://www.clc-ctc.ca/election/index.html
_____________________________________________
Liberal Party of Canada
http://www.liberal.ca/
Bloc Quebecois
http://www.blocquebecois.parl.gc.ca/
New Democratic Party of Canada
http://www.ndp.ca/Default.asp?language=English
Progressive Conservative Party
http://www.pcparty.ca/
Canadian Alliance
http://www.canadianalliance.ca/
Green Party of Canada
http://green.ca/
Canadian Action Party
http://www.canadianactionparty.ca/
Christian Heritage Party
http://www.chp.ca/
Communist Party of Canada
http://www.communist-party.ca/
Marijuana Party
http://www.marijuanaparty.com/
Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada
http://www.cpcml.ca/
Natural Law Party of Canada
http://www.natural-law.ca/
Rest of Canada Party
http://www.rocparty.ca/
___________________________________________
Citizens Council of Canada
http://www.citizenscouncil.ca/
Dump Chretien
http://www.dumpchretien.com/
Find Politics
http://www.findpolitics.com
Stop Stock Day
http://www.stopstockday.homestead.com/
The Edible Ballot Society
http://www.tao.ca/~wrench/
The Perfect Corporate Candidate
http://www.jeanstocknbonds.com/
The Satirical Party
http://www.canadianallianceparty.com/
The Straight Goods
http://www.straightgoods.com/
Unofficial Canadian Alliance Site
http://www.canadianallianceparty.net/