B.C. falling behind in toxins reduction

Major Donor

Leonard Schein
President,
Festival Cinemas

"I'm very impressed with the difficult work that Toxic Free Canada does. I support Toxic Free Canada because I know their knowledge and hard work will result in great strides in protecting the health and environment of the people of BC and Canada."

April 10, 2009

If toxic substances harmful to your health were being released into your community's environment, shouldn't you have the right to know?

The province of Ontario is moving forward today to provide that right to its residents and B.C.-based Toxic Free Canada wants to see similar protections established in this province.

"Ontario is bringing in legislation to reduce toxic chemical use and Toronto has a Community Right to Know bylaw. We are launching a B.C.-based Community Right to Know campaign to gain the same protection for our health and the environment", says Toxic Free Canada executive director Mae Burrows. "We need to know what toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, vehicle and industrial emissions, EMFs, toxins in schools, hospitals and consumer products, are being used in B.C. and potentially released into the community environment. We need to take action to inform the public about them and regulate them to protect children's health and the environment."

Toxic Free Canada will look at what toxic chemicals might be in a range of community services such as hair and nail salons, industrial releases, fertilizers, cosmetic pesticides and canned foods. "The community has a right to know complete and accurate information on potential environmental and chronic human health hazards associated with the selection of products, services and operations," explains Burrows. "Ontario and Quebec already have cosmetic pesticide legislation and we have been calling for right to know and for regulation of cosmetic pesticides and other harmful toxins here in B.C."

Toxic Free Canada's new campaign is supported by the Vancouver Foundation for the next three years. Community right to know research and recommendations will cover a range of sectors.

For more information please contact us