Mr. Speaker, lead shot, gun ammunition made mostly from lead, is widely used in Canada for small game hunting. When birds and animals eat lead shot, it dissolves in their stomachs and slowly but surely kills them. The same can be said about lead fishing weights. Loons, eagles, herons and cormorants are among the birds affected by these toxic products.
There are good alternatives. Steel shot has been developed as a practical, effective, economic and non-toxic substitute.
In Denmark and Holland, lead is banned from all products, including gunshot and fishing weights. Lead shot is banned in the United States but Canada does not have similar legislation.
I urge the government to adopt a policy whereby lead shot and fishing weights made of lead are not to be used or made in Canada.