Canada must ban neonics
Neonicotinoid pesticides, also known as neonics, are the most widely used insecticides in the world. They’re primarily used to control pests on agricultural crops like corn and soy, but they are also found on Christmas trees, houseplants and more.
Since 2010, a growing body of international scientific evidence has shown neonics are dangerous to biodiversity.
Neonics have unintended and wide-reaching ecological consequences, including contributing to a decline in bee and monarch butterfly populations.
We need bees. One-third of our food supply relies on pollinators like bees. They are, along with multitude of other invertebrates, the backbone our ecosystems.
Recently, the European Commission voted to ban all outdoor agricultural uses of neonics by the end of 2018. This decision is a victory for the bees and the environment.
We want Canada to do the same, to join the growing global movement to ban neonics and save the bees and other pollinators.
The Canadian government is reviewing three widely used neonics. We are committed to ensuring it hears our concerns about the environmental impacts of these chemicals and implements much-needed regulations.
Why are neonics dangerous?
They are highly toxic, particularly to pollinators and aquatic invertebrates.
They are highly persistent and difficult to remove from the environment.
They move across environments through ground, water and air, like from agricultural fields to rivers and forests.
Other dangerous pesticides
Neonics aren’t the only dangerous pesticides used in Canada. The David Suzuki Foundation is committed to monitoring, participating in and responding to as many of Health Canada’s pesticide reviews as possible.
Many of these pesticides, like glyphosate, are already banned in other countries.
From the media centre
Read our latest statements released to the media about pesticides.
The Butterflyway Project
The Butterflyway Project is a citizen-led movement that is growing highways of habitat for bees and butterflies through neighbourhoods in communities across Canada.