Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to speak today virtually.
I am honoured to present a petition from constituents and others concerned about the drastic and global decline in the population of pollinators, particularly honeybees.
The petitioners ask that the government consider following the lead of the European Union in exerting the precautionary principle and removing the authorizations, which are wide in Canada and restricted elsewhere, on what are called neonicotinoid insecticides. These are based in nicotine. They are highly toxic to pollinators, among other forms of life. It is time for Canada to step up and protect our pollinators, as the petitioners ask us to do.
I will await the response and share it with the petitioners when the government does respond.