Open letter to District of North Vancouver mayor and council:
Would it be possible for you to stop using glyphosate, a known carcinogen, in our neighbourhoods, especially besides streams where our children play and salmon hatch?
It is well known by now, worldwide, that this is a harmful substance we need to get out of the food chain. Canadian government is, once again, late in adjusting their policies compared to other countries.
I recommend educating yourself about harvesting “Japanese knotweed” instead of trying to eradicate it. This could generate a new source of income for the district and even potentially a funding source for North Shore Rescue.
Please take action keeping our environment and children safe and healthy.
Nic Rioux
Lynn Valley
Editor’s note: The District of North Vancouver “uses glyphosate, a federally regulated herbicide, to remove Japanese knotweed and hogweed, both of which have been declared noxious weeds under the Provincial Weed Control Act. According to district spokeswoman Stephanie Smiley, “past attempts to manage these invasive species by digging them out have been unsuccessful.” The district’s pesticide use control bylaw regulates and limits the use of pesticides to instances where health and/or property are at risk. An invasive plant management strategy is also in place, with details at dnv.org/invasive-plants.
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