Request for further information and clarification on the response to petition 473 from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Petition: 473B

Issue(s): Biological diversity; Climate change; Human/environmental health; Pesticides; Toxic substances

Petitioner(s): A Canadian resident

Petitioner location(s): Toronto, Ontario

Date received: 23 May 2023

Status: Completed – Response(s) to petition received

Summary: This petition is a follow-up to petition 473. The earlier petition raised concerns about the use of permethrin as a broad-spectrum insecticide to kill mosquitoes in southern Ontario’s cottage country and about how its application will inadvertently kill many non-target native insects and spiders; cause adverse health effects on local insect, mammal, and bird populations; and lead to biodiversity loss.

The follow-up petition requests further clarification on the answers provided for petition 473.

The follow-up petition seeks more information and supporting research on the long-term effects of repeated applications of permethrin on the life cycles of insects and spiders. The petition requests that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change consult the Government of Ontario to provide such information and refers to subsection 54(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999: “In carrying out the duties under subsection (1), the Minister shall offer to consult with the government of a province.” The petition questions whether the minister could refer to any research on the way that a loss of mosquitoes and other insects would affect the Canadian environment.

The petition seeks further information on the protection status of monarch butterflies and on the application of the Species at Risk Act on them when they are found on private, provincial, or municipal land, rather than on federal land. The petition further questions whether a private landowner can use the act to protect an endangered species on the landowner’s own private land from threats, such as cosmetic pesticide treatments.

According to the petition, the federal government is developing a plan to address its commitment to target 7 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the petition asks whether target 7 will include the cosmetic use of pesticides.

The petition suggests that permethrin fogs may cause eye irritation or conjunctivitis in mammals or birds. The petition questions whether the government should direct its organizations and the public to choose mosquito pesticides that may be less harmful, such as larvicides.

Federal departments/organizations responsible for reply: Environment and Climate Change Canada