Sustainable pesticide management - Climate, nature and economy lens public statement
Health Canada – Pest Management Regulatory Agency
17 January 2025
On this page:
- Purpose
- Strategic environmental analysis
- Strategic economic analysis
- Cross-cutting considerations
- Public perspective
Purpose
In line with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA), a strategic environmental and economic analysis was conducted on the proposal to strengthen the capacity and transparency of the pesticide review process, which will help Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) strengthen the capacity and transparency of the pesticide regulatory system and to monitor and promote sustainable pesticide use. Health Canada will continue to improve the efficiency and capacity of the pesticide regulatory system and increase the availability of data to inform decision-making and transparency, and AAFC will accelerate research, development and adoption of alternative pest management solutions to reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Strategic environmental analysis
This proposal has the potential to have positive long-term impacts on the environment and biodiversity by strengthening the pesticide review process and better informing risk assessments through monitoring pesticide concentrations in water and collecting pesticide use data from across Canada. As a result, the PMRA will gain a better understanding of the effects of pesticides on biodiversity, allowing Health Canada to assess and address associated risks more effectively. Additionally, the data on levels of pesticides in water will support the new Continuous Oversight Program for monitoring new scientific information related to pesticides. Lastly, these efforts will support Canada's implementation of measures to contribute towards Target 7 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada.
AAFC's research activities will accelerate the development and adoption of alternative pest management solutions (e.g., biocontrols, biopesticides, integrated pest management strategies, and pest monitoring and decision support tools), which will support the government and industry in responding to agri-environmental challenges. Although no direct positive environmental impacts can be assumed as a result of investment in research, discoveries will provide regulators with information for evidence-based decision making and provide producers with tools and resources to mitigate environmental impacts of pesticide use.
Strategic economic analysis
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a strategic economic analysis was conducted and found no local or sectoral impacts, with medium short term economic impacts and nil/negative long-term impacts at the national level.
Cross-cutting considerations
Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
The proposal contributes to Goal 12 of the 2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), particularly in relation to the implementation strategy: Continue review of pesticides. Health Canada will ensure that pesticides continue to be re-evaluated to ensure their continued safety and value are assessed in a timely manner.
The proposal also supports several other goals of the FSDS including:
- Goal 2 – Support a Healthier and More Sustainable Food System
- Goal 6 – Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Canadians
- Goal 13 – Take Action on Climate Change, and
- Goal 15 – Protect and Recover Species, Conserve Canadian Biodiversity
Indigenous Peoples
The Canadian Water Monitoring Program for Pesticides aims to generate data for a wide range of pesticides from samples collected across the country, enhancing access to and use of real-world data that will strengthen pesticide regulatory decisions to protect human health and the environment in Canada. When real-world data from modern treaty areas is included—if mutually agreed upon by Health Canada and Indigenous communities—the Program's activities are expected to benefit both Health Canada and Indigenous communities by identifying potential areas of concern or confirming no risks to human health or the environment. When potential concerns are identified, Health Canada will consider additional regulatory action to reduce risks to human health or the environment from the use of pesticides.
Additionally, engagement with Indigenous partners reinforces Canada's commitment to reconciliation through renewed nation-to-nation and government-to-government relationships, along with Canada's commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Public perspective
In 2022-23 and 2023-24, Health Canada led broad and targeted public engagement sessions that informed this proposal. During the 2022 consultations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) called for a more holistic and integrated approach to managing pesticides in Canada and asked for concrete actions to address biodiversity loss and environmental justice.
In terms of the proposal's impact on the environment and biodiversity, the public is expected to support the improved protection of human health and the environment.