To date, over 120 Canadian municipalities have enacted bylaws restricting or banning the non-essential use of chemical pesticides in an effort to protect public health. These municipalities have put protecting public health first. They recognize that, although important, education alone does not significantly reduce pesticide use in a community. Petition To: The Mayor and Council of the City of Hamilton WHEREAS: chemical pesticides are harmful to human health and the environment; WHEREAS: many organizations concerned with health and the environment advise avoiding pesticide use; WHEREAS: the Juravinski Cancer Centre and other physicians in Hamilton support a bylaw to restrict pesticide use; WHEREAS: chemical pesticides are unnecessary because sustainable, effective and less toxic alternatives are available; WHEREAS: the City of Hamilton\'s Public Health Department funds pesticide-reduction/elimination through Naturally Hamilton, a public education program; WHEREAS: research indicates that education alone does not result in significant reduction of pesticide use; WE, the undersigned, petition the City of Hamilton to enact, through Council, a bylaw restricting the non-essential use of pesticides on private and public lands.