Question Period Note: Pesticides- General

In general, pesticides are toxic chemicals intentionally released into the environment to control pests, including in agriculture and forestry, in homes and workplaces, and in industrial processes. They can also include personal insect repellents, wood preservatives, pool sanitizers and products to control invasive species.
There are more than 8000 registered pesticide products in Canada.
Pesticides are stringently regulated in Canada to ensure they pose minimal risk to human health and the environment. Under authority of the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), Health Canada:
o registers pesticides after a science-based evaluation that ensures any risks are acceptable;
o re-evaluates the pesticides currently on the market on a 15-year cycle to ensure the products meet current scientific standards; and
o promotes, monitors and enforces compliance with the PCPA.
In 2021, the Federal Government announced a $42 million investment in Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to further strengthen pesticide monitoring and protection of human health and the environment and increase transparency.
On June 20, 2023, the Government of Canada announced additional concrete actions towards a more sustainable approach to pesticide management. The announcement included various measures intended to protect biodiversity while making sure that Canadian farmers have the pest management tools they need to respond to growing demands for healthy and affordable food to Canadians and abroad.

The Government of Canada takes pesticide safety very seriously.
To be used in Canada, a pesticide must undergo a rigorous, science-based risk assessment to ensure that it meets Health Canada’s human health and environment protection requirements and has value.
In June 2023, the Government of Canada announced a number of actions leading towards a sustainable approach to pesticide management.
These actions will result in increased transparency, consideration of cumulative environmental effects and species at risk during pesticide reviews, and contribute to Canada’s commitment to implementing the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
IF PRESSED ON THE CONTINUED USE OF GLYPHOSATE IN CANADA …
Health Canada scientists have conducted an extensive review of this chemical and have concluded that there are no health risks of concern when label directions are followed.
Health Canada’s finding is consistent with that of other major international regulatory partners (US, EU, Australia).
Health Canada continually monitors science information and scientific literature related to glyphosate and will take necessary actions to protect health and environment.
IF PRESSED ON WHAT HEALTH CANADA IS DOING TO MONITOR GLYPHOSATE IN THE ENVIRONMENT …
Health Canada is establishing a national water monitoring framework with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, academics and other key stakeholders to inform the collection of real-world data on the presence of pesticides, including glyphosate, in surface and groundwater in Canada.
This framework will provide guidance for a water monitoring program across Canada, including the design and implementation of a long-term collaborative national-scale water monitoring for pesticides.
To support this work, a pilot water monitoring program was established to inform a long-term program. Sampling began in the summer of 2022 and the first results were published in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023.
As announced on June 20, 2023, Environment and Climate Change Canada will generate real-world data to make progress on this sustainable approach to pesticides management in Canada and to better understand the impacts of pesticides on the environment.
The collaboration between Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada supports efforts to improve data that can inform pesticides decisions.
IF PRESSED ON GLYPHOSATE FOUND IN FOOD…
Recent testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) shows levels found are compliant with the maximum residue limits (MRLs) allowed to be in or on food.
The MRLs for each pesticide-crop combination are set at levels well below the amount that could pose a health concern. As such, the levels detected by the CFIA are not a cause for health concern for Canadians.
IF PRESSED ON THE DETECTION OF GLYPHOSATE IN BLOOD/URINE…
Health Canada has assessed the low level detected in Canadians and has not identified any health concerns.
IF PRESSED ON GLYPHOSATE FOUND IN DRINKING WATER …
Health Canada has assessed potential human health risk of glyphosate from drinking water. Dietary (food and drinking water) exposure associated with use of glyphosate was found not to be of concern.
IF PRESSED ON WHETHER HEALTH CANADA – WHO IN 2018 PROPOSED TO CANCEL ALL USES OF NEONICOTINOIDS – IS TAKING A SOFTER STANCE DUE TO PRESSURE FROM THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR …
As part of the public consultation on its proposed decisions on neonicotinoids, Health Canada received more than 47,000 comments from the public, pesticide registrants, non-governmental organizations and provinces. A significant amount of new water monitoring data and scientific studies and papers from various sources such as registrants, provinces, academia and other regulatory authorities were reviewed.
The Department considered these new scientific papers, data and comments to make sound, science-based, final decisions regarding the risks to the environment from the use of these neonicotinoid insecticides in Canada.
IF PRESSED ON HEALTH CANADA’S DECISION TO CANCEL THE USE OF STRYCHNINE FOR RICHARDSONS’S GROUND SQUIRREL CONTROL IN SASKATCHEWAN AND ALBERTA DESPITE A STUDY SUBMITTED FROM SASKATCHEWAN …
Health Canada’s scientists reviewed all pertinent information, including the study from Saskatchewan, before concluding that no practical mitigation measures could be implemented to protect the environment adequately. Therefore the registration was cancelled.
IF PRESSED ON WHAT HEALTH CANADA IS DOING TO ADDRESS THE USAGE OF THE INSECTICIDE LAMBDA CYHALOTHRIN FOR FEED USE IN CANADA...
As a result of the 2021 re-evaluation of lambda cyhalothrin, a number of uses were cancelled due to dietary risks of concern, including potential risks to children and nursing mothers.
The risk assessment considered the prioritization of uses provided by the manufacturer.
A number of alternative insecticides are currently registered for feed crops.
Health Canada is actively reviewing a request by the manufacturer to reinstate feed uses.
IF PRESSED ON HEALTH CANADA’S DECISION TO PHASE-OUT THE WOOD PRESERVATIVE PENTACHLOROPHENOL…
In July 2020, Health Canada published a proposed special review decision for pentachlorophenol, which proposed cancellation of all uses due to risks to human health and the environment.
The last date of authorized use of pentachlorophenol in the treatment of wood is October 4, 2023.
Following a scientific review and public consultation in June , Health Canada has published its decision in September to allow the sale and use of utility poles already treated with pentachlorophenol for an additional 3 years.
IF PRESSED ON WHAT HEALTH CANADA IS DOING TO MEET THE TARGETS OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING THE REDUCTION OF RISKS FROM PESTICIDES…
ECCC is developing a comprehensive national biodiversity strategy to 2030 and working with Health Canada and AAFC to identify science-based approaches to meet the pesticide risk reduction commitment while supporting data collection and research.
The Government of Canada is working with partners to identify mechanisms and tools to reduce risk.
IF PRESSED ON THE ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY RADIO-CANADA “OTTAWA TO ONCE AGAIN ALLOW MORE PESTICIDES IN CERTAIN FOODS”
The Canadian government takes pesticide safety very seriously.
Since the pause on MRL increases, Health Canada has taken steps to address key stakeholder concerns related to the pesticide regulatory process to improve communication and transparency around MRLs.
Lifting the pause on MRLs increases, where PMRA’s robust scientific assessment reveals that it is safe to do so for Canadians is important to allow people in Canada to maintain reliable access to affordable and nutritious food, provide predictability for farmers to access the required tools to fight against new pests, and facilitate trade, which is central to food security.
MRLs will only be increased if Health Canada scientists determine that the proposed increase is safe.
No decision on Glyphosate will be released before 2024.
IF PRESSED ON WHETHER THE PROPOSED CHANGES UNDER THE CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (CEPA) WILL AFFECT THE PESTICIDES REGIME IN CANADA…
The CEPA and the PCPA are complementary pieces of legislation that contribute to federal management of toxic substances to protect human health and the environment.
While amendments to CEPA have no direct legal implications for the PCPA, CEPA partners strive for policy, science and regulatory alignment.
The regulatory regime for pesticides is sufficiently flexible to make changes through policy and regulatory amendments in order to further improve transparency, consider cumulative environmental effects and better address species at risk in pesticide reviews.
IF PRESSED ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE CO-CHAIR FOR THE SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS…
The Government of Canada is ensuring responsible pesticide management across the country and has taken numerous steps in the last year to increase transparency and accessibility of decisions, including the launch of the external Scientific Advisory Committee for Pest Control Products (SAC-PCP).
On July 18, 2023, Health Canada announced the appointment of a new co-chair to the SAC-PCP.
Health Canada is working collaboratively with the SAC-PCP membership to establish common goals for the coming year.
The PMRA takes its role as a regulator seriously and the pesticide review process used by the PMRA remains fully rooted in science.
IF PRESSED ON WHETHER HEALTH CANADA’S PMRA WORKS TOO CLOSELY WITH THE REGULATED PEST CONTROL PRODUCT INDUSTRY…
The PMRA takes its role as a regulator seriously and the pesticide review process used by the PMRA remains fully rooted in science.
As part of its Transformation Agenda the PMRA is taking bold steps to improve public participation in its pesticide decision making, including increased access to reports and data used in the decision process.
The PMRA is also working with federal, provincial, indigenous and academic partners to increase the generation of independent water monitoring and pesticide use data to better inform its decisions.
These actions complement the requirement in the Pest Control Products Act, for PMRA to consult extensively with the public and all affected stakeholders on all proposed decisions.
Health Canada also seeks independent scientific advice from its independent Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products, as well as input on policies and issues relating to the pest management regulatory system from its broad multi-stakeholder Pest Management Advisory Council.
While taking into consideration the advice it receives from both advisory committees, Health Canada maintains the responsibility and the sole authority to make decisions on pesticide and pest management regulation.

Pesticides are toxic chemicals intentionally released into the environment to control pests, including in agriculture and forestry, in homes and workplaces, and in industrial processes. These can also include personal insect repellents, wood preservatives, pool sanitizers, and products to control invasive species. Pesticides also include biologicals (derived from natural sources such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, animals and minerals) and devices (e.g., “bug zappers”, ultraviolet light emitting devices to kill bacteria). There are more than 650 registered active ingredients in more than 8000 registered pesticide products in Canada.
Before a pesticide is allowed to be used or sold in Canada, it must undergo a rigorous scientific assessment that provides reasonable certainty that no harm to human health and the environment (including wildlife) will occur when it is used according to label directions. Depending on the type of pesticide being evaluated, results from up to 200 scientific studies (or more in some cases) may be required to determine whether the pesticide would have any negative effect on people (e.g., chronic effects such as cancer), animals or plants, including organisms in the soil and water. This assessment also takes into consideration sensitive populations, such as pregnant and nursing women, infants, children and seniors.
Health Canada’s PMRA must also periodically re-evaluate pesticides that are on the market to determine whether they continue to meet the Department’s health and environmental standards and hence, whether they should continue to be permitted for use in Canada. The PCPA also requires Health Canada to initiate a special review of a registered pest control product when there are reasonable grounds to believe that the health or environmental risks of the product are, or its value is, unacceptable, or when an OECD member country prohibits all uses of an active ingredient for health or environmental reasons.
On August 4, 2021, the Federal Government announced a $50 million investment in Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)’s pest management research, to be supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). To deliver on this commitment, the PMRA established a Transformation Agenda, focused on four major areas: strengthening its oversight and protection of human health and the environment through modernized business processes; increasing the availability of independent data and independent advice to better inform regulatory decision making; improving transparency to increase the public’s understanding of the decision-making process for pesticides; and conducting a targeted review of the PCPA.
In Spring 2022, PMRA launched consultations on a targeted review of the PCPA. Throughout these consultations, PMRA heard from a variety of groups – pesticide manufacturer associations, agricultural and non-agricultural pesticide users, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, Indigenous organizations, the provinces and territories, foreign jurisdictions, including the United States, Australia and the European Union, and the general public. A ‘What We Heard’ report, published on November 1, 2022, provides an overview of what PMRA heard through the consultation.
Health Canada has made considerable progress in building public trust, improving the availability of independent data and advice, and modernizing business processes supporting regulatory decisions, including: launching the external and independent Scientific Advisory Committee for pest control products (SAC-PCP) that provides independent scientific and technical advice to support PMRA’s evidence-based decision-making on pesticides; improving transparency through a revamped Public Registry, decision and consultation webpages, and release of plain language communication products related to pesticide decisions; conducting water sampling at over 80 sites across Canada to better inform pesticide risk assessments and publishing data on the Government of Canada Open data portal; and pursuing research on alternative pest management solutions for growers (including funding 25 projects, led by AAFC).
On June 20, 2023, the Ministers of Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced next steps toward a sustainable approach to pesticides management, including:
• a consultation on proposed regulatory amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations (written comments on the Notice Of Intent were accepted until Sept 8, 2023 (80 days from its publication). Feedback is being analysed and will inform the proposed regulatory amendments elimination of the cosmetic use of pesticides on federal lands through an amendment to the Greening Government Strategy, which is led by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat;
• working with partners to characterize the current pesticide risk environment and develop concrete strategies and actions to reduce the risk of pesticides in Canada, in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework;
• the unpausing of increases to MRLs for pesticides in Canada; and,
• continued progress on transformation of the pesticide regulatory system

Before a pesticide is allowed to be used or sold in Canada, it must undergo a rigorous scientific assessment that provides reasonable certainty that no harm to human health and the environment (including wildlife) will occur when it is used according to label directions and that it has value (e.g., is efficacious).
In response to the August 4, 2021 federal commitments, the PMRA has established a Transformation Agenda, which focuses on four major areas: strengthen human and environmental health and safety oversight and protection through modernized business processes, improve transparency to increase the public’s participation in the decision-making process for pesticides, increase use of real-world independent data and independent advice to better inform regulatory decision making, and a targeted review of the PCPA.
On June 20, 2023, the Government of Canada announced next steps toward a sustainable approach to pesticides management, including:
- Consulting on proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations;
- Restarting the science-based process of evaluating proposed increases to pesticide residue limits, in line with international guidelines; and
- Eliminating the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes on federal lands through amendments to the Greening Government Strategy led by Treasury Board of Canada.
These steps will advance Canada’s commitment to implementing the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The Framework includes a focus on reducing the overall risk from pesticides by at least half by 2030.