Madam Speaker, I am pleased to table a petition on behalf of the residents of Halifax, the riding that I have the privilege to represent. It is a petition that calls upon parliament to enact an immediate moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides.
There are two principles that underlie the petition. First is the precautionary principle, the concept that we should not allow the use of chemicals that have not been proven to be safe for human consumption and for our planet.
Second, the very principle that if we have neighbours who are suffering ill-health effects from a chemical being used for cosmetic purposes, surely the health considerations of citizens should come ahead of our aspirations to have lawns that are free of weeds.
I am pleased to table the petition and hope that the government would take it under serious consideration.