It was a frosty morning in Simcoe County when I pulled into Wolf Energy gas station, looking forward to a hot coffee and a quiet moment.
As the gas pump clicked into place, my gaze drifted to a striking billboard near the road. "Protect Our Forests. Ban Glyphosate." Beneath it, a simple website: tekelders.ca. I opened the site on my phone, and what I found sparked a fire in me.
Glyphosate — a word many have heard but perhaps don’t fully understand — is more than a chemical herbicide; it’s a silent threat to our forests, our food chain and our future. The TEK Elders of the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory are fighting tirelessly to end its use in Ontario’s forestry practices. Their message is not just a plea but a call to action, and as I delved deeper, I realized this issue touches us all.
What is Glyphosate and why should you care?
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many herbicides, most famously Roundup. In forestry, it’s sprayed from the air to kill competing vegetation, ensuring the dominance of commercial tree species like pine. On the surface, it seems efficient — less competition means faster growth, right? But this quick fix comes at a staggering cost.
“Here is where your lands will be poisoned without your consent” - Greenpeace
Glyphosate-sprayed forest in Northern Ontario photo: Joel Theriault
When glyphosate rains down on our forests, it doesn’t just kill weeds; it eradicates biodiversity. Native plants that support pollinators, birds and mammals are wiped out. The delicate balance of ecosystems crumbles and what’s left is often a sterile monoculture.
For the Anishinaabe people, whose lives and traditions are intertwined with the land, this devastation is personal. It violates treaty rights and strips the land of its ability to sustain life as it has for generations.
The scientific evidence behind glyphosate’s dangers is overwhelming—and infuriating. Glyphosate doesn’t stop at the plants it’s meant to kill. It contaminates everything in its path, infiltrating the food chain and leaving behind a legacy of harm.
Photo: Canvas creation by Monika Rekola
● Glyphosate destroys the understory vegetation that supports wildlife. Birds lose their nesting sites, pollinators lose their food sources and mammals lose the plants they rely on for survival. Species like the monarch butterfly, already teetering on the edge, are pushed closer to extinction as their habitats vanish.
● Glyphosate binds tightly to soil particles, disrupting the microbiome that plants and animals depend on. Healthy soil teems with life—bacteria, fungi, and insects that recycle nutrients. When glyphosate disrupts this web, it leaves the soil depleted and less capable of supporting life.
● Rain carries glyphosate into streams, rivers, and lakes, where it harms aquatic life. Studies have shown glyphosate can disrupt algae, the base of aquatic food chains, leading to ripple effects that impact fish and amphibians. Imagine the silent suffering of ecosystems we can’t even see.
photo:Tek Elders
Impact on humans
Residues of glyphosate have been detected in our food, from grains to honey. The World Health Organization has classified glyphosate as a "probable carcinogen," and while debates continue, the long-term risks of chronic exposure remain concerning. If glyphosate is found in the food we eat and the water we drink, what does that mean for our health?
A problem that doesn't fade away
Even if Ontario banned glyphosate tomorrow, the chemical’s impact would linger for years. It persists in the soil, where it continues to harm microorganisms and plants. The forests we love may take decades to recover, and some ecosystems may never fully return to their original state.
This isn't just a fight for today; it's a fight for the future. Quebec has already banned glyphosate in forestry. European countries like Austria and Germany are phasing it out. These regions recognize that short-term convenience isn’t worth long-term destruction. So why is Ontario still clinging to outdated, harmful practices?
Photo: Tek Elders
There are roughly 400 tall thin jack pine trees in this small lot. The trees are 61 years old in growth. They are thin and do not show great signs of profit in terms of harvesting. This is the vision of the forestry groups.
They kill off COMPETING vegetation to provide growth potential for these species.
While the TEK Elders have been instrumental in bringing attention to this issue, their advocacy has not been centred around a specific legislative bill. Instead, they have sought to influence policy through direct engagement with government agencies and public campaigns.
In a related development, in April 2024, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas presented a petition on behalf of the group "Stop the Spray," which aligns with the TEK Elders' objectives, calling for a ban on herbicide spraying in Ontario's forests.
This petition represents a formal step within the legislative process, aiming to prompt discussion and potential action within the Ontario Legislature regarding the use of glyphosate in forestry. The TEK Elders' ongoing efforts continue to play a crucial role in advocating for environmental stewardship and the protection of First Nations' rights in the region.
Photo: Tek Elders
Here’s how you can join the effort
Contact Your MPP: Write, call, or email your Member of Provincial Parliament. Demand a ban on glyphosate spraying in forestry and emphasize the importance of sustainable, biodiversity-friendly practices.
Sign the Tek Elders petition here and add your name to the growing list of Ontarians calling for change. Every signature strengthens their case.
To support the movement against glyphosate spraying in Ontario's forests, you can sign the petition organized by Greenpeace Canada. This petition urges Premier Doug Ford to prohibit the use of glyphosate herbicides in forestry practices, emphasizing the protection of ecosystems, Indigenous rights and public health.
Let's push for sustainable forestry practices that prioritize biodiversity and long-term health over short-term profits. Support reforestation efforts that restore natural ecosystems rather than creating monocultures.
Ontario is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse forests in Canada. These forests are more than resources—they’re carbon sinks, habitats, cultural landmarks, and sources of inspiration. Allowing glyphosate to poison them is a betrayal of everything they stand for.
The time for action is now. Let’s join Quebec, Austria, Germany and others who have taken a stand. Let’s make Ontario a leader in ecological responsibility. Let’s protect our forests, our wildlife and ourselves.
Monika Rekola is a certified landscape designer and horticulturist, passionate about gardening, sustainable living and the great outdoors. Contact her at [email protected].
