What This Means to You
Home Owners
Homeowners now have the flexibility to use any domestic class pesticide registered with Health Canada on their lawn. All users must follow the directions provided on a product's label.
Lawn Care Professionals
Lawn care professionals must hold a licence, only apply federally-registered pesticides, and follow all Health Canada approved labelling.
Commercial lawn care professionals must adhere to all restrictions on sensitive areas including schools, child care centres, hospitals, municipal playgrounds, picnic areas, dog parks, and provincial parks. These areas are defined in legislation and under pesticide use permits.
Municipalities
These changes do not conflict with the responsibilities of weed supervisors under The Noxious Weeds Act. Out of an abundance of caution, pesticide use is now restricted at municipal playgrounds, picnic areas, and dog parks. These areas are defined in pesticide use permits. The application of specific cosmetic pesticides in low-risk areas such as municipal boulevards, sidewalks, rights-of-ways, and fairgrounds is now allowed.
Retailers
The sale of domestic class cosmetic pesticides is no longer restricted. When selling federally-registered pesticides, domestic product retailers no longer have to:
- lock up products and prevent public access
- ask the buyer’s plans and decide if they are compliant
- give facts to the buyer on compliant use
