McGuinty admits he bumbled on Ontario pesticide ban

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty admitted Tuesday that he blundered when he said municipalities could enact tougher anti-pesticide rules than the province.

McGuinty made the mistake two weeks ago when he announced Ontario's proposed pesticide ban on Earth Day with Environment Minister John Gerretsen, who remained silent on the premier's error.

"I think what happened — in fairness — is that I gave an answer which was wrong, and I think the minister was unduly deferential," McGuinty said.

"I've spoken to him about that and I say, 'If I make a mistake in public, you should correct me right away so that we correct the record.' "

Municipalities will be forbidden from enacting tougher bylaws than the provincial standard once the new ban takes effect in 2009.

McGuinty's error is just another sign that he's ill-prepared to answer questions about his government's major plans, Progressive Conservative legislator Peter Shurman said.

The premier did the same thing last week when he predicted Ontario would get a new auto assembly plant following another round of General Motors layoffs, even though there's still no indication that he's inked a new deal with an automaker, Shurman added.

"If he doesn't read it in a briefing book, he's not sure what he's supposed to say," he said.

More than 300 pesticide products are expected to be banned for use under the legislation, which would prohibit the sale and cosmetic use of pesticides.

There will be a few exceptions, including farming, forestry and health and safety, for purposes such as controlling mosquitoes that can carry diseases like the West Nile virus.

Golf courses will also be able to use pesticides, but must meet certain conditions — which have yet to be drafted — to minimize the effects on the environment.

Supporters of the ban say it will be the toughest in North America once it becomes law.

Quebec, the only other province to have banned pesticides, was considered to have the toughest standards on the continent. The final phase of its Pesticide Management Code, first introduced in March 2003, went into effect in 2006.