CELEBRATIONS REQUIRED!
Back-to-back wins. (1. Aerial spraying with BTK shut-down 2. Avian Flu Research (ALL of the adult ostriches recovered. Judge ordered “NO” to CFIA immediate cull of research animals .)
– UPDATE: Jan 28/2025 Public Health Agency searching for Public Health Officer for Canada, Theresa Tam’s replacement. Tam has reached retirement.
From: Dan February 4, 2025
To: Sandra
Subject: Re: FW: Fw: West Kelowna Branch of the KCSA Leads Charge in Halting 2025 Aerial BTK Spray Program
Hoping for RFK’s success at the senate.
– – – – – – – –
On 2025-02-04, Sandra Finley wrote:
CELEBRATION REQUIRED!
This battle has been on-going for decades.
For me, it’s about biotechnology corporations, the takeover of universities and the Government. It’s about HEALTH CANADA and not-science writ large. It tells me that it is absolutely possible to hammer out the corruption.
I love you all!
/Sandra
From: bctownhalls2024
To: Lloyd
Subject: Re: Fw: West Kelowna Branch of the KCSA Leads Charge in Halting 2025 Aerial BTK Spray Program
Oh Wow! In awe, Lloyd. This it totally brilliant, a huge victory for humans…and the press release is incredibly professional. I cannot express enough my admiration for the hard work you and the West Kelowna Branch have done on behalf of ALL of us across BC who were sprayed multiple times in the past years. I’m still seriously haunted by the sound of that bloody plane and maybe this is the start of ending all this other disgusting aerial graffiti that constantly scars our clear blue skies, blocks our sun, and pollutes our agriculture.
THANK YOU so much to you and your team.
Kind regards,
Lynn and Paul
BCTownHalls2024
From Lloyd:
Please find inline the Press Release regarding the BTK spray program. Please distribute as you see fit. Thanks, Lloyd.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelowna, BC – February 4, 2025
West Kelowna Branch of the KCSA Leads Charge in Halting 2025 Aerial BTK Spray Program
After continuous advocacy by the West Kelowna Branch of the Kelowna Citizens Safety Association (KCSA), the BC Government’s Ministry of Forests has cancelled the controversial 2025 aerial BTK spray program. This decision underscores the controversial nature of the program and questions why the Ministry of Forests is spraying communities without informed consent.
In 2024, while West Kelowna was spared, twelve other communities were not as fortunate and underwent aerial spraying with BTK, sparking significant health and environmental concerns. Communities like Cranbrook faced three rounds of spraying, raising alarms about safety, particularly given the large number of daycares, schools, and a hospital within the spray and drift zones.
Lloyd Manchester, President of the West Kelowna Branch of the KCSA, praised the decision, emphasizing the importance of community education and regulatory reform. “This cancellation allows us to work collaboratively with communities to educate them about the hazards of being aerially sprayed, to push WorkSafe BC to implement aerial pesticide regulations, make presentations to school boards, and work with farmers to investigate soil contamination and effects on seedlings,” Manchester stated. He also noted, “Aerial spraying of our communities is unacceptable and must be discontinued because it increases the potential to harm the elderly, immunocompromised, children, pets, and passersby.”
James Shannon from Call to Action Cranbrook expressed his relief and underscored the necessity for stringent scrutiny of international regulatory bodies, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency(CFIA), which collaborates with the Ministry of Forests to promote BTK aerial pesticide use in BC communities like Cranbrook. “Our community was severely traumatized by these aerial sprays, and we don’t want other communities to go through what we did and be exposed to the BTK bacteria. It’s imperative that we address the implications of these practices to protect our environment and public health,” Shannon stated.
Larry Wartel, spokesperson for the Communities United For Clean Air, highlighted the importance of pursuing sustainable pest management alternatives. “While we welcome this decision, our advocacy efforts will persist. We remain committed to ensuring informed consent and active community involvement in decision-making processes, especially those that impact public health. It is important to recognize the many reported adverse effects of BTK. People have experienced respiratory issues and other health problems. These concerns must be properly addressed,” Wartel stated.
With the cancellation of the 2025 program, all groups involved will continue to collaborate on creating the change that shifts our Province away from spraying communities. There is growing concern over the potential for the Province to switch to viral sprays, which could have significant implications. We will be inquiring into the Ministry of Forests and CFIA’s future plans to ensure that any changes are transparent and considerate of public health.
-50-
For more information, media inquiries, or to support the campaign, please contact:
Lloyd Manchester President, West Kelowna Branch of the Kelowna Citizens Safety Association
Email: Lloyd_kcsa@proton.me
Phone: 250-878-9352
James Shannon Call to Action Cranbrook
Phone: 250-420-1406
Larry Wartel Communities United For Clean Air
Email: CommunitiesUnitedForCleanAir@gmail.com