Dr. Bruce Lanphear research scientist, resigned as co-chair from a PMRA science advisory committee stating that industry representatives, who have an undeniable financial conflict of interest, should not be allowed to serve on the PMRA or other federal committees yet lobbyists and federal agencies continue to promote pesticides & GMOs at the expense of environmental & public health. The most recent outrage is the collusion of the PMRA with Bayer, a pesticide maker, to silence Canadian researcher & ecologist, Dr. Christy Morrissey who drew attention to the high levels of neonicotinoids, lethal to pollinators, paralyzing invertebrate insects in Canadian wetlands. Time to disband the corrupt PMRA.

Not only have our Canadian flower and plant growers expanded, but more sustainable cultivation practices are also being established. A good example is Rosa Flora using renewable energy, water conservation & beneficial insects for pest management. Ecostems focuses on local organic & Fair Trade & delivers throughout the GTA. In season, try sourcing from local organic CSA farms or growers such as Cloverhill Flowers. If buying from a grocer, avoid floral foam used in arrangements & ask for bouquets instead. It is ironic that the floral industry in Canada is reducing pesticides while the food we eat is getting more toxic. Anyone interested in growing edible flowers?

As Canada has acknowledged our right to a healthy environment, can the federal government intercede provincially to stop the spray of glyphosate on public lands in our boreal forests? When glyphosate is aerial sprayed on our forests it eradicates not just hardwoods but also biodiversity. Native plants that support wildlife are destroyed. The fragile ecosystem balance is obliterated leaving behind a sterile monoculture. For Indigenous people, it violates treaty rights, poisons water & food sources on which they depend. It is now recognized that the killing off of less flammable hardwoods such as birch & aspen that act as natural fire barriers in favour of softwood monocultures is exacerbating forest fires. A federal ban on the spraying of our forests with glyphosate would be a huge step towards a MUCH healthier environment for all. Will you do this?