About the framework for pesticide water monitoring programs in Canada
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) makes science-based decisions to support the safe and sustainable use of effective pesticide products in Canada. This involves:
- ensuring that the decisions we make are transparent
- ensuring strong oversight of currently registered pesticide products
- putting in place strong protection for human health and the environment
- improving the availability of real-world data to support pesticide review decisions
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What is the framework
The goal of this document is to provide guidance to coordinators of water monitoring programs in Canada on the collection of high-quality real-world data on concentrations of pesticides (and their transformation products) in water. Through following this framework, it is expected that data will:
- improve collaboration
- inform prioritization of pesticide re-evaluations
- increase public confidence in the pesticide regulatory system
- guide implementation strategies for best management practices
- inform other initiatives such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- inform regulatory decisions for the protection of human health and the environment
It is expected that data generated by following this framework will be more consistent across water monitoring programs for pesticides in Canada. Allowing the data to be shared and used by other organizations, including the PMRA, will support more effective regulatory decisions on pesticides.
This framework describes steps for:
- managing and reporting data
- collecting ancillary information
- designing a water monitoring program
- collaborating with Indigenous partners
- deciding on which pesticides and transformation products to analyze
Consult the Framework for pesticide water monitoring programs in Canada.
Developing the framework
The PMRA developed this framework in collaboration with partners and stakeholders that have an interest in protecting freshwater resources including:
- national partners
- other federal departments
- provincial and territorial governments
- stakeholders
- industry
- academia
- growers' associations
- non-governmental organizations
The consultation was done through a Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) survey and many meetings and interaction with the water monitoring technical working group (TWG).
The FPT survey was distributed during the fall of 2021 to better understand the current pesticide water monitoring across Canada. The survey was sent to members of the FPT Committee on Pest Management and Pesticides as well as other provincial experts on water monitoring. In addition, it was sent to water monitoring experts at Environment and Climate Change Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada.
TWG sessions were held to obtain feedback and advice from all stakeholders. The goal was to understand concerns and receive their expert advice related to water monitoring of pesticides.
Sessions were held with 3 different groups:
- Federal, provincial and territorial governments
- Pesticide manufacturers
- Grower groups, academia and non-government organisations
Each group was invited to 3 different workshops to discuss the following topics:
- Goals of monitoring program, data analysis and reporting
- Monitoring program design and field sampling
- Priority pesticides and laboratory analysis
The report Towards a national-scale water monitoring program for pesticides — What we heard summarises the valuable information that was provided by participants during consultation events.
Consulting the public
The first draft of the framework was completed in Fall 2023 and was distributed to the members of the water monitoring technical working group, the Science Advisory Committee on Pest Control Products and other water monitoring experts in Canada. All feedback received was considered, documented and incorporated where possible. Written comments were welcomed throughout the framework development process.
On March 22, 2024, the PMRA published a proposed Framework for pesticide water monitoring programs in Canada and initiated a 30-calendar-day consultation. The aim of this public consultation was to gather valuable insight from the public. This transparent, open and inclusive approach is in alignment with the PMRA’s commitment to:
- providing access to information
- promoting meaningful public understanding
- increasing decision-making process transparency
The Summary of comments received on the framework for pesticide water monitoring programs in Canada contains the comments received during the public consultation as well as the PMRA’s responses.