Steinbach city councillor Damian Penner says he is encouraged that the province will soon make an announcement on the easing of a ban on herbicides for cosmetic weed control. The city last week approved another resolution calling on the province to end the ban so there can be more effective, less costly weed control at city parks and sports fields. Penner attended the Association of Manitoba Municipalities conference in Brandon this week and tells us he had a chance to discuss the matter with Conservation Minister Sarah Guillemard.

City councillor Damian Penner"She was very optimistic that there should be something coming forward that will be a good balance for us as municipal officials who are trying to keep our parks clean as well as for the public safety aspect as well. So hopefully a new balanced approach will be coming in shortly."

Penner adds he also spoke with Municipal Relations Minister Rochelle Squires on the issue.

"She gave me a little bit of feedback on the history of the difficulties that they are having as a province, seeing that there is conclusive evidence that there are no health concerns, but that there are other concerns about some of the more aggressive pesticides."

Penner says he is hopeful the province will announce its new plan for herbicides in time for next spring.