CORRUPTION CANADIAN STYLE?

Today's Waterloo Region Record carrys the following article by Maggie MacDonald of Environmental Defence, titled "Time to reform pesticides management rules". Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is at the centre of the problem. "Conditional registration" is a major policy which has exacerbated a very bad situation. It allows companies to 'register" pesticides for agriculural use on the condition that data on safety and environmental impacts be submitted later. This later can be years later or sometimes never. Similarily there have been unconscionable delays in cancelling registrations for pesticides that have been shown to have unacceptable risks.

One example given is the failure to act promptly regarding neonicotonoids and their negative effects upon bees. While Ontario has taken action the federal government has not. Recently Canada's Environment Commissioner has issued a report which makes it clear that a major overhaul of the PMRA is required. Tinkering and bandaids will not restore credibility to either the PMRA or to Health Canada.