Pesticide Regulations across Canada (Federal, Provincial, Municipal): Urban Landscapes

Executive Summary

The regulation of pesticides in Canada is a complex process, involving various Acts, regulations, guidelines, directives and by-laws from all three levels of government: Federal, Provincial and Municipal. The end goal is to ensure mitigation of risks associated with the use of pesticide products.

Traditionally the responsibility of the Federal and Provincial governments, in 2001 the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the cosmetic pesticide ban in Hudson, QC to further restrict the use of pesticides on their lands. Since then over 180 Canadian municipalities have passed pesticide restrictions which has also led to a number of Provinces to enact blanket provincial pesticide bans. Green industry companies working in these jurisdictions must be aware of these regulations in addition to any pesticide bylaws pertaining to cosmetic or so called “unnecessary” uses of pest control products. This review paper outlines how the various levels of government regulate the pesticide industry in Canada and details how the Provinces and Municipalities restrict their use cosmetically.