SSNB held its annual report card event on September 8, 2025! We issue an annual report card to elected political parties and mark them on action on the #StopSprayingNB campaign. We started doing this in 2018. We ACTUALLY had CBC coverage today!
DNRD had some tough questions to answer today on the very poor progress on implementing recommendations by the Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability that were issued almost 4 years ago.
SPRAY LICENCES 2025 have been issued for over 27K hectares in New Brunswick- about 15K has will be sprayed. But the licenses change daily according to the dept in charge. This is the clarification that was sent to me by DNR Minister John Herron regarding spray licenses:
“Blocks are constantly changing in and out of this map. As we’ve said, the program is dynamic, and we try to make the map as accurate as we can as things develop to ensure transparency. For this reason, the map viewer can change daily as blocks are dropped or added. The intent of the map viewer is for the public to identify sites of interest that may be treated. As I’ve communicated, that program on Crown land will still fall within the (15K ha) estimated range of area.”
So you basically need to check the spray licenses map daily if you are wondering about what might get sprayed near you. We always assumed that all spray licenses were issued by a certain deadline. Always more licenses than would actually be used, but this year (due to the mistake made at the GNB Geonb map) we have now learned that this is not the case. DNR has never released an actual chart of licenses issued. They did give us that this year when Gino discovered a huge discrepancy. But even that chart now appears to be dynamic! There you have it folks.
Our electronic letter campaign continues! Your letter will automatically be forwarded to NB’s Premier Holt, and Ministers Herron (Natural Resources) and Lepage (Environment). Official opposition leaders will also receive a copy.
“A new report shows pesticides are sprayed on Canadian forests up to 7 times in the forestry cycle, not just once – as assumed in Health Canada’s approval for spraying. It also shows the risks to people eating forest foods, including Indigenous people and foragers, have not been assessed.
The report, written by Safe Food Matters Inc., presents data compiled by the Wilderness Committee and Stop Spraying New Brunswick showing cutblocks in New Brunswick and British Columbia have been sprayed 2, 3 or more times with glyphosate, the main pesticide used in forestry. It presents evidence that many Indigenous people eat forest foods, putting them at risk.
Recent science from the University of Northern BC shows glyphosate accumulates and persists for years in forest plants like berries and roots. When asked about the science, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada said its current risk assessment is “protective”, even though it is based on data on what Americans eat, not Canadians.
Data on spraying is not publicly accessible in Ontario and other regions heavily sprayed.
Based on the report, groups are signing an Open Letter to the Health Minister to cancel the approval. (To be added, email SafeFoodMatters@gmail.com with “Cancel Forest Use” and contact details.)
Dr. Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy, chair, Stop Spraying New Brunswick, on the repeated assumption:
“We’ve been campaigning to end Crown forest spraying since 2015. Our provincial government often repeats PMRA’s assumption that spraying only occurs once or twice during the lifespan of a softwood plantation managed with herbicides. Through our mapping tool we have identified many blocks that are treated more frequently. The PMRA needs to address this issue.”
James Steidle, founder, Stop the Spray B.C. on BC spraying:
“The data shows a lot of forest “over” spraying in the Prince George area, and the end effect is a dramatic reduction of forest and deciduous diversity that many declining species like moose rely on. This over spraying has long term effects, and it needs to be banned immediately.”
Caroline Recollet, elder, TEK Elders on the lack of spray data:
“It is absolutely shocking that Ontario’s government is not responsive to any requests for information about how glyphosate-based herbicides are really used on our forests or how that use is affecting our forests, water, and wildlife.”
Safe Food Matters Inc. is a Canadian charity working for safe food. It sued over the 2017 registration of glyphosate and won, but had to sue again. It recently won in Federal Court, with co-applicants represented by Ecojustice, concerning the renewal of a glyphosate product, and PMRA must return with an updated view of the science before September.
We are looking for VOLUNTEERS FOR THESE DATES: Friday April 4- Sunday April 6, 2025
SSNB will have an information table again at The Moncton Sportsmen Show at The Moncton Coliseum. We will have information and of course we will have our popular SSNB merchandise for sale (lawn signs, stickers, front licence plates). We can do cash transactions, e-transfers and payments via Paypal.
Hours for the show this year:
Friday April 4 (for us after we load in): 1 -7 pm
Saturday April 5: 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday April 6: 10 am – 4 pm
Please email us at stopsprayinginnewbrunswick@gmail.com with your availability.
A warm thank you to Conservation Council of New Brunswick! CCNB has been kind enough to give us financial assistance to cover the cost of the information table and printing costs.
Dear supporters, we have good news! SSNB board members had a very good first meeting right after the 2024 provincial election, on November 1, 2024, with Moncton Liberal MLA Alexandre Doucet and Education Minister Claire Johnson, whom had both signed our pledge during the NB Election 2024 campaign!
They were so generous with their time. We finally have advocates for the #StopSprayingNB issue inside a governing political party. This means that they will work to get other elected members on side in our new Government of New Brunswick. We will post updates.
The NB Liberal Government has committed to:
-Looking into alternatives to herbicide spraying on our public forests.
Here is the list of recommendations by the Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship:
Pesticides Advisory Board
THAT the Minister of Environment and Climate Change re-activate the Pesticides Advisory Board and ensure it remains active.
THAT the Minister task the Pesticides Advisory Board with investigating issues and gaps in information regarding the use of pesticides, which includes herbicides, in the Province as identified by the Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship.
THAT, within six months of the tabling of this report, the Minister review the composition of the Pesticides Advisory Board as prescribed in the Pesticides Control Act to determine whether any amendments are needed to ensure adequate independent expertise is represented.
Crown Lands and Forests Advisory Board
THAT the Crown Lands and Forests Advisory Board be re-activated within six months of the tabling of this report.
THAT the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development review the composition of the Board to ensure diversity of expertise.
THAT the Board ensure stakeholders who use Crown Lands are doing so in a responsible manner to meet stated objectives established by the Minister and/or in legislation.
Crown Lands and Forests Advisory Board
THAT the Crown Lands and Forests Advisory Board be re-activated within six months of the tabling of this report.
THAT the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development review the composition of the Board to ensure diversity of expertise.
THAT the Board ensure stakeholders who use Crown Lands are doing so in a responsible manner to meet stated objectives established by the Minister and/or in legislation.
Forest Management and Ecosystem Protection:
THAT, for the purpose of evaluating the impact of eliminating herbicide spraying, the government initiate a comprehensive cost-benefit economic study comparing the usage and non-usage of herbicide in managing tree plantations in New Brunswick within 12 months of the tabling of this report.
THAT remaining old hardwood, mixedwood, and softwood forest be maintained (not converted). This would require (1) ecologically based forestry, and (2) additional protected natural areas (reserves).
THAT the government ensure protected natural areas have connected corridors, where needed, and minimize edge habitat for the purpose of biodiversity.
Increased Restrictions on Spraying
THAT setbacks for aerial spraying be increased from 500 metres to 1 kilometre from dwellings.
THAT the government require a spraying setback of 100 metres from protected natural areas.
THAT the government require a minimum 100-metre aerial spraying setback from water and wetlands and/or require spray plans that may vary depending on the landscape and the hydrological characteristics of the land.
THAT the government ban spraying of pesticides in protected watersheds as designated under the Clean Water Act.
THAT the Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development request of NB Power that it immediately begin phasing out spraying of pesticides under transmission lines.
Further Monitoring and Research
THAT the Legislative Assembly appoint a Legislative Officer charged with the responsibility for Crown Lands and Waters with an appropriate budget beginning in the next fiscal year.
THAT the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development partner with educational institutions and non-governmental organizations, where applicable, to study the effects of spraying pesticides in forestry on wild game, other food and Indigenous medicines in New Brunswick.
THAT the government request that Health Canada evaluate the registration of glyphosate every five years and with research conducted in and applicable to New Brunswick.
THAT the Department of Environment and Local Government be mandated to routinely sample and test water and sediment for glyphosate and related components adjacent to areas where glyphosate has recently been applied, and to report annually.
THAT for the purpose of evaluating the impact of eliminating glyphosate, the government undertake a comprehensive cost-benefit economic study comparing the usage and non-usage of glyphosate in the agricultural sector in New Brunswick within 18 months.
Public Education and Awareness
THAT, within six months of the tabling of this report, the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development create a public dashboard regarding all aspects of Crown forest utilization, including pesticide spraying, for the purpose of increasing public education and awareness.
FUNDRAISER APPEAL as SSNB prepares for the upcoming #NBElection24! We need to raise $6000 to cover sign and billboard expenses. (as of September 12’24 we have raised close to $1500!)
Donations can be made via:
– e-transfers to: stopsprayinginnewbrunswick@gmail.com
– via Paypal to Stop Spraying NB
– by cheque to Stop Spraying NB mailed to 104 Argyle Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 1T5.
ELECTIONS NB RULES: YOU NEED TO SEND ME YOUR FULL NAME AND ADDRESS when you donate (you can add this info while you submit the etransfer)
SSNB just registered as a third party with ElectionsNB. As a registered third party, we can place our signs in public areas just like election candidates do.
We need volunteers who can put our signs up in their riding. We are also looking for people who are willing to do the work to build a frame and put up an SSNB billboard in visible areas. In 2018 we had 6 billboards scattered around NB along secondary roads or at highway exits. Please email us at stopsprayinginnewbrunswick@gmail.com if you can help out OR have a property along a highway with a lot of traffic that can host a billboard.
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194 letters were signed at the Moncton Sportsmen Show March 22-24’24! PDF of SSNB’s latest letter template, which you can download, print, sign and send to your MLA:
Legislative Building, Centre Block [706 Queen St], PO Box 6000, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5H1
Dear MLA ____________________________________,
SUBJECT: BAN ALL HERBICIDE SPRAYING OF OUR PUBLIC FORESTS IN NEW BRUNSWICK
“Food sources are gone after spraying. Wildlife dies off due to this. It is a massive loss of food, diversity, cover, and habitat. I’ve gone hunting and there is no life after they sprayed. Sprayed plantations are not forests.”(Luc Albert, New Brunswick resident)
I am writing to you because our public forests are in trouble. Please do not ignore the problem of our degraded public forests. The loss of wildlife, fish, and birds in our forests, and the loss of forestry jobs, are directly related to the loss of our mixed hardwood forests.
I need to hear answers from you, my MLA, to the following questions. I understand that at last year’s Moncton Sportsmen Show (March 24-26, 2023), a total of 158 letters addressing this issue were signed by constituents from across New Brunswick and delivered to their MLAs. Several of the constituents who signed these letters have reported that they did not receive a response, which indicates that their concerns about herbicide spraying, and wildlife were simply ignored. New Brunswickers concerned about the loss of animals and their habitat in our forests have a right to have their letters answered by their elected MLAs.
Should MLAs be re-elected if they don’t want to answer questions from their own constituents?
QUESTION 1: WILL YOU PUBLICLY COMMIT TO A BAN ON ALL HERBICIDE SPRAYING ON OUR PUBLIC FORESTS and NB POWER CORRIDORS?
The Province of Québec has been successfully managing their forests for the last two (2) decades without the use of herbicides. Quebec uses manual silviculture, plants larger seedlings, and practices careful logging around advanced growth (CLAAG). Compared with New Brunswick, Québec has a much higher job creation per 100,000 hectares of forests. Québec encourages many different forest companies and small wood producers, including the use of an auction system (as does Maine) and added-value hardwood industries.
QUESTION 2: WILL YOU PUBLICLY COMMIT TO RESTORING THE DEER WINTERING YARDS IN OUR PUBLIC FORESTS?
The number of deer wintering yards were cut in half (1/2) in 2012, and again in 2014. Today, deer yards in New Brunswick are only one-quarter (1/4) of what they once were.
QUESTION 3: WILL YOU PUBLICLY COMMIT TO PROTECTING 30% OF OUR PUBLIC FORESTS BY 2030?
Our neighbours have already made this commitment. Québec will conserve 30% by 2030, and Nova Scotia will conserve 30% by 2030. NB Dept. of Natural Resources recently claimed they are committed to conserving 30% of Crown Forest land but Stop Spraying NB has learned that this includes watercourse and wetland buffers, which will constitute 9% of the 30%. These buffers are in fact mandatory by law and are simply the thin 30-metre-wide strips of vegetation left along rivers, streams, and wetlands when forests are clearcut, sprayed or when land near waterways is developed. These 30-metre-wide strips have never been counted as “conservation forest”, and they should not be. The government of New Brunswick is misleading New Brunswickers. In fact, the government has in fact reduced conservation forest from 23% down to 21%.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to your answer to my three (3) questions.
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