No one wants to use herbicides. Adding chemicals to the landscape rarely has positive effects, and our medical history is marred with delayed discoveries linking these products to cancers, birth defects and other problems.

So now that Parks Canada wants to use herbicides in the townsite, citizens must take notice.

The debate is not new. In 2002, the federal government examined the possibility of a nation-wide pesticide ban, however then Federal Health Minister Anne McLellan said she didn’t have the authority to enact such legislation. Pesticide laws were overhauled though, and decisions were made at the municipal level. Some opted for bans (Toronto, Halifax, etc) while others opted for public education programs (Vancouver).

While memories of toxic scorched earth style spraying are conjured when one thinks of herbicides and pesticides, the type of herbicides proposed are much safer. According to research, Tordon 22K’s safety level is similar to salt or vitamin A – even large doses are unlikely to cause harm. The manufacturer, Dow Chemicals, still recommends against its use in shallow land and near lactating dairy cattle. Cattle shouldn’t graze a field treated with Tordon 22k for a period of six weeks, according to Dow. While Parks believes elk will not be affected by this dosage, we aren’t so sure. Chemicals have an awful way of accumulating within fatty tissues of animals, working their way up the food chain. It must be noted while the herbicide appears to be relatively harmless, there is still a risk.

The second herbicide, named Milestone, is relatively new, and studies show it is relatively safe (no grazing restrictions). However it can cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eye. It has also drawn the ire of some environmental groups in the U.S., who note even extremely low levels of Milestone persist in the soil for years, affecting crops.

These are not problems to be taken lightly. But neither are the effects of non-native plants. In a National Park, it is paramount ecological integrity be maintained. Pulling weeds the old fashioned way is hard work,  expensive and rarely eradicates the root problem, however it’s safe and time-tested.

Crews are losing the battle against invasive species, which are choking out native plants, resulting in less habitat. This is threatening native plants in the townsite (which must be considered disturbed land and is full of gardens with non-native species), which could spread outwards.

The Jasper Health Advisory Committee acted in haste when they voted to support the idea without seeing the draft policy. Many expressed concern they didn’t have all of the details about the program, and were reluctant to make changes to a herbicide ban that has as much symbolic merit as scientific.

Until the actual policy is unveiled and more information is available about the program and the threat of invasive species in the Jasper townsite, we cannot support herbicides use.