Open for signatureElectronice-7586 · Parliament 45

Repeal Division 8 and ban neonicotinoids

Sign on the House of Commons website

Petitioners ask repeal Division 8 of Bill C‑30 and bans on outdoor neonicotinoids and atrazine, restrictions on 2,4‑D, EU‑comparable residue limits on metolachlor and chlorpyrifos, habitat protection, public pesticide database and an industry‑funding‑free evaluation body.

Why we would sign this petition

  • It would restore scientific independence by removing Cabinet override authority, helping ensure pesticide approvals follow health‑based assessments rather than economic overrides.
  • Bans and EU‑level residue limits would, per petitioners, reduce pesticide contamination that harms pollinators, wildlife and human health, supporting ecosystem and public‑health protection.
  • A public pesticide database and an independent evaluation body would increase transparency, oversight and public trust in pesticide approvals and reduce industry funding conflicts.

Why we wouldn’t sign this petition

  • Broad bans and tighter residue standards could raise costs for farmers, disrupt agricultural practices and reduce competitiveness, risking economic harm to producers and exporters.
  • Aligning immediately with EU limits and imposing widespread prohibitions may create trade and regulatory complexity that complicates exports and compliance for industry and regulators.
  • Establishing and funding an independent evaluation agency and national database could be costly and slow; some may prefer targeted reforms, stronger enforcement or phased changes instead of sweeping bans.

The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada Despite research linking pesticide exposure to cancer, reproductive and neurological issues, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-30, amending the Pest Control Products Act, allowing Cabinet to override Health Canada scientific decisions for economic reasons. Thus, removing independent oversight and permitting reauthorization of harmful pesticides for up to six years; and, Canada remains negligent regarding severe pesticide impacts: Neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam) — Canada’s most used insecticides — are found in soils, waterways, and food at harmful levels to pollinators, wildlife and human health. A 2018 phaseout proposal was reversed after alleged industry interference. The EU banned outdoor use and restricts imports containing residues, threatening Canadian exports; Atrazine, banned in the EU and classified a probable carcinogen by WHO in 2025, is detected in Quebec rivers; 2,4-D is still used despite cancer and endocrine disruption links; Metolachlor contaminates Quebec waterways with no federal restriction; Chlorpyrifos residues persist in imports despite its 2023 phaseout; and Neonicotinoid use devastates tick predators (opossums, beetles, insectivorous birds), accelerating spread of disease-carrying ticks. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Repeal Bill C-30, Division 8 of the Pest Control Products Act; 2. Ban all outdoor agricultural and ornamental neonicotinoid use; 3. Ban atrazine immediately; 4. Ban or restrict 2,4-D; 5. Impose EU-comparable residue limits on metolachlor and chlorpyrifos; 6. Protect natural tick predators by prohibiting neonicotinoids near wildlife habitat; 7. Create a national public pesticide database; and 8. Establish an independent pesticide evaluation body free from industry funding. 1. Repeal Bill C-30, Division 8 of the Pest Control Products Act; 2. Ban all outdoor agricultural and ornamental neonicotinoid use; 3. Ban atrazine immediately; 4. Ban or restrict 2,4-D; 5. Impose EU-comparable residue limits on metolachlor and chlorpyrifos; 6. Protect natural tick predators by prohibiting neonicotinoids near wildlife habitat; 7. Create a national public pesticide database; and 8. Establish an independent pesticide evaluation body free from industry funding.

Government response

No government response is available yet.