KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK TUESDAY
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JULY 14, 2015 | Volume 28 No. 84
TODAY’S WEATHER
Clouds, showers High 27 C Low 16 C
AFTER THE ‘NO’ VOTE What next for Pinantan?
A7
PENDREL DREL L SNARES SILVER LVER R AT PAN AMS S Kamloops mountain biker rides to the podium
A11
PESTICIDE-BAN VOTE HELD TODAY
Lake: No link to Big Pharma CHRISTOPHER FOULDS
KTW EDITOR
editor@kamloopsthisweek.com
Calling it “an interesting conspiracy theory,” Health Minister Terry Lake said he has seen no evidence to connect provincial government research into the stopsmoking drug Champix, and possible pressure from Champix maker Pfizer, to the firings of eight researchers in 2012. “I think it’s an interesting theory that makes for good reading, but I can tell you unequivocally that I have seen no evidence of that whatsoever,” Lake told KTW. “The researcher [coop student Roderick MacIsaac, who later committed suicide], he was working on the earlier program, not the newer program, and it didn’t even involve Champix. “The work he was doing could have helped us if we were to pursue a review of Champix, should that be considered in the future.” However, Lake said, by then the ministry had decided against doing its own review. See MINISTER, A10
ANDREA KLASSEN
STAFF REPORTER
andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
ALLEN DOUGLAS/KTW
HIGHLAND HAMMER TIME
Norm Little watches his hammer throw gain distance during heavy events competition at Saturday’s Highland Games at Albert McGowan Park. For more on the Games, go online to kamloopsthisweek.com.
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A Kamloops city councillor said he hasn’t made up his mind on whether he will support a proposed ban on cosmetic pesticides when it comes time to vote this afternoon. But, other councillors on both sides of the issue are predicting the ban will pass by a vote of 5-4, with Arjun Singh providing the deciding vote. The ban, which council will debate at the end of its regular meeting today at city hall, would only affect residential properties and would still allow pesticide use on fruit trees and in vegetable gardens — though not on lawns, flowers or ornamental shrubs and trees. Speaking to KTW on Friday, Singh said he’s been researching the health effects of pesticides and the effectiveness of bans in other communities for weeks, but hasn’t decided which way he will vote. “I think I’m going to leave myself open to either possibility,” he said. Tina Lange first proposed the ban in early June, but council has held off on voting to give residents a chance to speak to the issue. A pair of lawn-care companies have already appeared before council to argue against the ban and today’s agenda includes a master gardener, an anti-pesticide activist and a retired university research scientist, all with varying views on the issue. Singh aside, the majority of coun-
cillors have already decided how they will vote. Pat Wallace, Ken Christian and Mayor Peter Milobar said they don’t support the motion. Marg Spina said she wants to see if there are any new arguments in favour of a ban, but raised the same concerns about the proposal as the other nay votes. Those against the ban said it would be difficult to enforce and would lead to residents applying pesticides in secret, without the use of trained applicators or warning signs posted 24 hours before and 48 hours after application, both of which are required in the city’s current bylaw. Christian said many residents who have spoken to him are “indignant” about council telling homeowners how they can use products which remain legal for sale in B.C. — and in the City of Kamloops even if the ban on their use is approved. “It would be totally different if these things were banned by Health Canada,” Christian said. Wallace said she’s had more email messages on the ban than even the controversial Ajax copper and gold mine, with the majority opposed to a ban. “I was elected to listen to the people and, at some point, you have to start looking at the numbers,” she said. Milobar believes a ban will lead to more pesticide use, not less, because residents using products on their own will be more likely to over-apply.
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