Summary#
This bill bans glyphosate as a pest control product in Canada. It adds a new rule to the Pest Control Products Act that makes it illegal to manufacture, possess, handle, store, transport, import, distribute, or use glyphosate for pest control. It also cancels the federal registrations of all glyphosate products. The ban takes effect 1 year after Royal Assent; the bill does not delay the registration cancellation. (Bill s.6(1.1); Transitional Provision; Coming into Force)
- Bans all glyphosate pest control uses after a 1-year phase‑in. (Bill s.6(1.1); Coming into Force)
- Cancels all federal registrations of glyphosate products. (Transitional Provision)
- Because unregistered products cannot be sold or imported, sales and imports would have to stop when registrations are cancelled. (existing Pest Control Products Act s.6(1))
- Applies nationwide to farms, forestry, utilities, railways, businesses, and households. (Bill s.6(1.1))
- No compensation, exemptions, or licensing pathways are provided. (Bill, full text)
What it means for you#
- Households
- You would not be allowed to buy glyphosate products like lawn and garden weed killers once registrations are cancelled. (Transitional Provision; existing Pest Control Products Act s.6(1))
- You would not be allowed to possess, store, or use any remaining glyphosate after the 1‑year phase‑in ends. You would need to dispose of it under local rules. (Bill s.6(1.1); Coming into Force)
- Farmers and grower co‑ops
- Buying and importing glyphosate herbicides would stop once registrations are cancelled. (Transitional Provision; existing Pest Control Products Act s.6(1))
- Using stored glyphosate on crops (e.g., for pre‑seeding, in‑crop, or pre‑harvest uses) would be illegal after the 1‑year phase‑in. You would need to switch to other weed control methods. (Bill s.6(1.1); Coming into Force)
- On‑farm possession and storage of glyphosate would also be illegal after the phase‑in ends. (Bill s.6(1.1))
- Forestry companies
- Chemical vegetation control with glyphosate (e.g., site preparation, conifer release) would have to stop after the phase‑in. Planning would need to shift to other products or non‑chemical methods. (Bill s.6(1.1))
- Railways, utilities, municipalities, and provinces
- Right‑of‑way and roadside vegetation programs could not use glyphosate after the phase‑in. Contracts and budgets would need updates to reflect alternate methods. (Bill s.6(1.1))
- Retailers, distributors, and applicators
- Retail sale and distribution would need to stop when registrations are cancelled. Inventory would need to be removed from shelves and managed per federal/provincial rules. (Transitional Provision; existing Pest Control Products Act s.6(1))
- Commercial applicators would need to end glyphosate services after the phase‑in, retrain staff, and update equipment and labels. (Bill s.6(1.1))
- Manufacturers and importers
- Manufacturing, importing, and transporting glyphosate pest control products would be illegal after the phase‑in. With registrations cancelled, sale and import would be unlawful even earlier. (Transitional Provision; Bill s.6(1.1); existing Pest Control Products Act s.6(1))
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.
- No appropriation or funding is in the bill. (Bill, full text)
- No official fiscal note identified. Data unavailable.
- Potential enforcement, disposal, and outreach costs would fall under existing departmental budgets unless Parliament later funds them. Data unavailable.
- Loss of federal registration fee revenue is possible once registrations are cancelled. Data unavailable.
Proponents' View#
- Reduces human exposure and environmental release by banning production, sale, possession, and use nationwide. (Bill s.6(1.1))
- Addresses health risk concerns raised by independent bodies, such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification of glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A). (IARC Monograph, 2015)
- Simplifies enforcement: a clear national ban and cancelled registrations make illegal products easier to identify. (Transitional Provision; Bill s.6(1.1))
- Encourages transition to non‑chemical weed management and alternative products, potentially reducing biodiversity impacts linked to broad‑spectrum herbicides. Assumption noted; outcomes depend on chosen alternatives. Data unavailable.
- Provides a 1‑year phase‑in to allow users and markets to adjust and deplete stocks before possession and use become illegal. (Coming into Force)
Opponents' View#
- Conflicts with Health Canada’s 2017 re‑evaluation, which found glyphosate products acceptable for continued registration when used as directed. Opponents argue a ban overrides science‑based regulation. (Health Canada PMRA, 2017 re‑evaluation decision)
- Raises operating costs for farms, forestry, and public right‑of‑way managers who rely on glyphosate; alternatives may be more expensive, less effective, or require more passes. Magnitude depends on prices, weeds, and region. Data unavailable.
- May increase tillage in some crop systems, which can raise soil erosion, fuel use, and greenhouse gas emissions if not offset by other practices. Assumption; effects vary by system. Data unavailable.
- Immediate cancellation of registrations could force sudden product withdrawals, creating stranded inventory for retailers and users before the 1‑year use ban begins. The bill provides no compensation or sell‑through period. (Transitional Provision; Coming into Force; Bill, full text)
- Enforcement burden may rise due to illegal stockpiles or cross‑border purchases, especially during the transition, without added resources in the bill. Data unavailable.