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Kelowna Citizens Safety Association

Kelowna Citizens Safety Association

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The Kelowna Citizens Safety Association (KCSA) gives your voice the power of many.

Break through the gatekeepers to your local government and reclaim your voice. The Kelowna Citizens Safety Association is a community dedicated to enhancing safety initiatives in our city and retaining an autonomous community for residents by residents.

05/30/2024
05/30/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Kelowna, May 22, 2024 – The West Kelowna Branch of the Kelowna Citizens Safety Association (WKB/KCSA) and the group Call To Action Cranbrook have been actively urging their respective School Boards, SD #5 and SD #23, to implement measures protecting students and staff from exposure to the bacterial pesticide planned for aerial spraying around schools.
James Shannon, director of the Cranbrook group, expressed his satisfaction with the Cranbrook Board of Education’s recent actions: “We are extremely happy that our Board of Education has listened to us and created some very important safety measures to help protect the children, but further measures are needed to protect the staff that will have to clean up the pesticide residues.”
The aerial spraying of the bacterial pesticide Foray 48B, which contains 87% undisclosed ingredients, has been postponed in West Kelowna but can proceed with just 48 hours' notice displayed on a highway sign. In Cranbrook, the aerial spraying over 299 hectares is scheduled for May 26th and 27th.
Both organizations have penned letters to their School Boards, advocating for adherence to WorkSafe BC pesticide regulations to ensure the safety of workers, staff, and students from pesticide exposure. These regulations are more stringent than the measures currently proposed by SD #5. Implementation of WorkSafe BC regulations would necessitate school closures on spray days.
The WKB/KCSA has sent multiple letters to the School District urging the adoption of WorkSafe BC pesticide regulations to ensure comprehensive notification to staff, students, and parents, and to mandate the cleaning of pesticide residues.
“We are confident that School District #23 will make a decision that will protect the health and safety of students, staff, parents, and passersby’s from exposure to this bacterial pesticide. Full notification and protection of all citizens in the spray zone is absolutely necessary,” stated Lloyd Manchester, President of WKB/KCSA.
The Ministry of Forests must comply with WorkSafe BC pesticide regulations, which include notifying all employers, workers, and passersby’s in the spray zones, and covering the costs for notification, relocation outside the spray zone, and pesticide residue cleanup. Strict adherence to these regulations is crucial to minimize exposure for everyone involved.

Kelowna Citizens Safety Committee - Enhancing Community Safety | Kelowna Citizens Safety Committee 05/10/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BC Environmental Appeal Board Denies Request to Halt BTK Aerial Pesticide Use Permit

West Kelowna, May 10, 2024 - The West Kelowna Branch of the Kelowna Citizens Safety Association (WKB/KCSA) has received notification from the BC Environmental Appeal Board regarding the denial of their application to stay (halt) the Ministry of Forests (M*F) aerial pesticide use permit. This permit enables the M*F to continue aerial spraying Foray 48B, a bacterial pesticide in 13 BC communities, including West Kelowna.
Expressing disappointment with the decision, spokesperson Manchester stated, "We did not expect a favourable decision knowing the Appeal Board had denied stays for these applications in the past." The decision, according to Manchester, hinges partly on whether an unreasonable adverse event causing harm to humans or the environment.
The WKB/KCSA has voiced concerns over the M*F's promotion of the bacterial pesticide Foray 48B as non-toxic, despite explicit safety instructions to minimize exposure and the undisclosed composition of 87% of the formulation. Manchester highlighted that aerial applications exposes a broad section of people, workers, and pets to the pesticide without their knowledge, posing health risks to humans, animals, and the ecosystem.
Of significant concern are pesticide residues potentially drawn into air conditioning units in residences and buildings without occupants' knowledge. Such residues pose risks to students, staff, and passersby, compromising air quality systems and contaminating structures, Manchester stated.
The aerial pesticide permit mandates precautionary advice, including remaining indoors with windows and doors closed during active spraying and for at least 1 hour thereafter, and washing hands after outdoor activities. Manchester emphasized that these conditions cannot be met for those unknowingly exposed to the aerial bacterial pesticide. Manchester encourages those concerned to call the Minister of Forests at 250-387-6240 and express your concerns.
In response to the lack of awareness and informed consent among residents, the WKB/KCSA has initiated a comprehensive community education program, distributing "Pesticide Free Zone" signs to expand awareness in West Kelowna. Additionally, the KCSA is distributing Spray Drift Cards to detect pesticide presence on properties, and inside and outside of the buffer zone.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Lloyd Manchester
250-878-9352
www.kelownacsa.org
Spray Hot Line 1-800-573-0213
[email protected]

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