The new law came into effect July 1, 2010 yet phosphorus-rich products are still on store shelves: Gerrard

 Winnipeg – Manitoba Liberal Leader, Jon Gerrard, today called the NDP’s implementation of Bill 8, The Phosphorus Reduction Act, a failure in government communication.  Bill 8 restricts phosphorus levels in dishwashing detergents sold in Manitoba to no more than 0.5%. The legislation took effect July 1, 2010 but many retailers still have products containing high levels of the algae-boosting element and are unaware of the new guidelines.

 “Many retailers are going to be on the hook for products that contain phosphorus and are still on their shelves, and I think the NDP are to blame.  There has been little to no communication with vendors on this legislation,” said Gerrard.  “Retailers should have been contacted and reminded to begin adjusting their orders of certain detergents in anticipation of this ban starting.”

 Gerrard also noted that there has been little if any money invested in educating retailers about the implementation of Bill 8.  “Compared to the money spent on educating the public on the new cell phone ban in vehicles, I would say that the NDP have totally ignored the need to work with the retail sector on properly launching this regulation.”

 The concept for the Government’s Bill 8 was originally presented by Gerrard as Private Members Bill 206 on November 21, 2006, but was not supported by the NDP.

 “It’s always disappointing that the NDP choose to play partisan politics with policies that are good for Manitoba’s environment.  Had the original Liberal phosphate reduction act been passed in 2006, the amount of phosphorus heading into Lake Winnipeg and other lakes due to dishwashing detergents would have been reduced starting more than two years ago.”

 The Manitoba Liberal Party believes that protecting and repairing Manitoba’s lakes through innovative research and progressive legislation is a cornerstone of the Liberal commitment to environmental stewardship. 

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For more information please contact: Michelle Nyhof, Communications Officer, Manitoba Liberal Caucus at (204) 771-2513 or michelle.nyhof@leg.gov.mb.ca