Township Falls Behind with Pesticide Bylaws In light of the recent implementation of a Pesticide Bylaw in the City of Langley, a group of Environmental Protection Technology students at Kwantlen University is calling on the Township to follow suit. As of 2011, 40 communities in BC had adopted pesticide bylaws, and the Canadian Cancer Society is calling for province wide bans. “There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives to the harsh chemical pesticides currently being used in the Township,” says Tanya Ritchie, an Environmental consultant and student in the Environmental Protection Technology program at Kwantlen. “In the absence of a cosmetic pesticide ban, Langley is putting its residents at risk of medical complications associated with pesticide use”. There is widespread scientific and medical acceptance that pesticides contribute to the following illnesses: asthma, autism, birth defects, diabetes, Parkinson’s and many types of cancers as noted by Pesticide Free BC. “Since the ban will only affect cosmetic use and not agricultural or in-home pest control, food security and everyday health will only be improved,” says Heather Little, EPT student at Kwantlen University. This bylaw forces the public as well as local decision makers to take accountability for their health and well-being, which in turn will also reduce healthcare costs associated with cosmetic pesticide use, while not affecting the livelihood of farmers. Please show your support by filling out this short survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZYHMKGH As well as signing our petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/township-of-langley-pesticide-ban