March 22, 2010
TED CHUDLEIGH READS
THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS
(Queen’s Park) – Today Ted Chudleigh, MPP (Halton) and PC Critic to the
Attorney General read “The Changing of the Seasons” to highlight the upcoming
reality facing Ontarians as the second year of Ontario’s pesticide ban
approaches.
“It’s important that we eliminate harmful toxins in our environment but McGunity’s
pesticide ban is based on political science and not real science,” said Chudleigh.
“Instead of ensuring people have adequate information about pesticides and
providing incentives to help people make better choices, the McGuinty Liberals
implemented another ‘naughty law’ and banned all insecticides.”
“I’m reading this poem today to remind Dalton McGuinty that one size does not fit
all across Ontario. Most people know how to safely address problems with ants,
ladybugs, cockroaches and cluster flies. Where they don’t the answer isn’t a ban.
It’s about education and choice,” added Chudleigh.
Ontario’s pesticide ban came into effect on April 22, 2009.
For further information contact:
Ted Chudleigh
416-325-5747
THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS
In the warmth of Spring
The world comes to life
Emerging from Winter’s
Cold, brutal strife
Adults on patios,
Children on lawns,
Windows, be open!
Winter jackets, be gone!
But this year, it seems,
Something is missing.
Enjoyment replaced
By buzzing and hissing
Clusterflies here,
Ladybugs there.
Fragile gardens
And flowers beware!
Hornets at picnics
Ants in the kitchen
Little ones scratching
And stinging and itching
Wasps at the playground
Grubs in the field
Free to harass us
We carry no shield
And weeds that strangle
Weeds that spread
Once veggies and flowers
Now crabgrass instead.
And who do we thank
For this season gone wild?
Who welcomed the foes
Of gardener and child?
‘Twas McGuinty and company
With their pesticide ban
Another decree
Without long-term plan
They ignored the good science
Rode the emotional wave
Told us how to choose
How to live and behave