For Immediate Release, Dec 10, 2013

OTTAWA – Liberal Environment Critic John McKay rose in the House of Commons this morning to call for an Emergency debate on the “unusually high” number of bee deaths in Canada in recent years.

“This issue is pressing as bees are responsible for the pollination of flowering Canadian crops,” McKay said. “The recent decline in the bee population is both staggering and cause for significant concern.”

For two years in a row now, Health Canada has noted “unusually high” bee deaths and has linked this to pesticide-coated seeds.

“The European Union is doing its due diligence on this matter and the United States is currently considering action,” McKay asserts. “Canada cannot afford to stand by and expect others do this important work for us. Canadian agriculture is both an important part of our economy and our heritage. Today, I raised this important issue; however Speaker Scheer has decided that it does not meet his threshold to be declared an emergency. I am disappointed in this decision and hope that by raising awareness, the Canadian public will call on the Government to take action to protect this significant contributor to our ecosystem”

Hon. John McKay, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Guildwood
Environment Critic for the Liberal Party of Canada
Contact (Parliamentary Office): (613) 992.1447 / mckayj@parl.gc.ca