The City of Winnipeg was to hold the first of two public meetings Tuesday night on the pros and cons of banning or limiting chemical pesticides and herbicides for cosmetic use.

"I think Winnipeg is behind the times when it comes to controlling the use of these chemicals," said Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who chairs the committee examining the issue.

More than 100 communities across Canada, including Brandon, Halifax, Ottawa and Toronto, have restricted the non-essential use of toxic lawn and garden chemicals.

Last year, Quebec adopted the toughest standards in North America in banning 20 different chemicals, such as 2,4-D, found in the most popular herbicides.

"I think there's more and more awareness growing of the health concerns to humans and even to pets of the use of chemicals," Gerbasi said.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment has warned that pesticides have been linked to cancer, birth defects and neurological disease.

The use of mosquito-killing chemicals such as malathion was not on the agenda for the meeting, which was to be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT in city council chambers. Another public meeting was scheduled for Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT.

Gerbasi said the committee will eventually submit a report to city council on the prospect of banning lawn and garden chemicals.