The Hamilton Coalition on Pesticide Issues (HCPI) is composed of over 20 charity and non-profit organizations and many private citizens from the City of Hamilton, Ontario.

The HCPI is dedicated to the phase-out of non-essential (cosmetic) outdoor use of chemical pesticides in the City of Hamilton in a coordinated effort with the community.

The goals of the HCPI are to provide information about the health risks from pesticide exposure, provide information on alternatives to chemical pesticides and to gain public health protection through a municipal by-law/policy in the City of Hamilton.

Activities to Date

In April 2001, representatives from 16 citizens' groups met and formed the 'Hamilton Coalition on Pesticide Issues'. Due to a concern for public health, everyone present was interested in reducing or eliminating non-essential pesticide use on lawns and gardens in the Hamilton area.

It was agreed that the main focus of the coalition would be to work with various Hamilton City Departments and Councillors on developing public education campaigns and a possible phase-out by-law.

An Education Committee was formed to coordinate a public awareness and information sharing campaign on healthy lawn and garden practices, resulting in the public outreach program called Green Lawns, Healthy Kids. The same committee also helped to organize the very successful, First Annual Green Gardening Forum at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Over 500 people attended a full day's activities.

Early in 2002, HCPI worked with the City of Hamilton Parks Department to help develop a public awareness campaign. Council's budget decisions cut short the development of this project.

The coalition also became part of a Working Group chaired by the city's Medical Officer of Health. This group, including representatives from the lawn care industry, looked at options for the city in dealing with the pesticide issue. Public education and bylaw enactment were discussed.

In 2003, the Public Health and Social Services Committee initiated the Pesticide Sub-committee. An election followed and the Sub-Committee was formed in 2004 with Brian McHattie as Chair.

Their recommended version of the Precautionary Principle (definition below) was adopted by Council and the rest of the term has seen further study into the feasibility of a bylaw restricting non-essential use of pesticides.

A public education program, under the Public Health Department, was designed and implemented in the fall of 2005 with a budget of $60,000 and is named Naturally Hamilton. The HCPI is proud that most of the materials developed for our Green Lawns, Healthy Kids program were used as the basis for the City's program and allowed Naturally Hamilton to get off the ground fast.

Public consultations conducted by Lura Consulting in June 2005 offered.

Surveys:

1. Cancer Society in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (August 2007) showed strong citizen support in Hamilton for a Pesticide Bylaw.
2. RFFS Survey conducted by the City of Hamilton regarding public opinion on pesticide bylaws.
3. Oracle Poll for Naturally Hamilton on public awareness of the pesticide issue

Present Role
The Coalition will continue to follow the progress of the Sub-committee on further reductions in pesticide use and the development of public education programs.

We will also partner with Naturally Hamilton and other local pesticide reduction and education efforts whenever possible.

Find out how you, your group or organization can Join or Support the HCPI.

Current HCPI Members and Contact information.

The Precautionary Principle (Adopted by City Council)
Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty will not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Attachment
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System January to April 2006 (Wave 61 to 64)