Earth Day was chosen as a politically appropriate day to enact the cosmetic pesticide ban in Ontario - a particularly useful page on the Ministry of the Environment site lists information pertinent to various industries regarding the ban and any exemptions.

Dow AgroSciences has sued the Canadian Government under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement, looking to get Quebec’s pesticide ban thrown out.

Their main arguement seems to be this study done by Health Canada in 2008, which states that “2,4-D meets Canada’s strict health and safety standards, and as such can continue to be sold and used in Canada”.

In the lawsuit Dow is seeking damages “without limitation” covering loss of sales, profits, goodwill, investment and other costs related to the products.