Montrealers hold Halloween die-in to protest pesticides

Merci d'être là! Halloween costumes, signs, and a simulated die-in. These protesters use the occasion to warn about what they say are the dangers of pesticides to human health, drinking water, and the environment. Pesticides that were banned in the past are now banned again, and I find that unacceptable. It is so important that we have good food, you know, organic food. And we stop these chemical intrusions into our food. The demonstration is part of a province-wide mobilization organized by environmental, agricultural and public health groups. The coalition behind the demonstrations wants the federal government to reconsider proposed changes to pesticide regulations. It also wants the government to do more to protect people from pesticide exposure, including through drinking water. We are asking that the Quebec government are listening to science, not lobbyists. You know this summer he decided to give him the permission to reintroduce a forbidden pesticide and during this time we also have C-31. They want to get rid of the recycling re-evaluation each 15 years. The federal government says changes are not meant to compromise public safety. It says Bill C-31 is still being studied. We reached out to the Quebec Environment Ministry for a response. The ministry says Quebec already has strict pesticide regulations. The provincial ministry says it's monitoring the federal bills and says the proposed changes won't mean pesticides that pose unacceptable risk to human health can be approved But what we see and what we hear is very totally different. Moi personnellement, j'ai été malade due à l'exposition à des pesticides. Organizers say they'll continue putting pressure on governments and want Quebec's new government to make pesticide reduction and public health a priority.