Commercial pesticide application

Companies that sell or use commercial pesticides must hold the appropriate permit. Sales staff and pesticide appliers must hold a certificate. These obligations are set forth in the Regulation respecting permits and certificates for the sale and use of pesticides . Read the following webpage for more information: Permit and certificate applications.

In Québec, laws and regulations (including the Pesticides Management Code ), regulate the storage, sales and use of pesticides in order to limit their adverse effects on the environment and health and to reduce their use. In addition, some municipalities regulate pesticides within their boundaries, based on specific local conditions.

When mixing and applying pesticides, the following rules are mandatory:

• Comply with manufacturer’s instructions as shown on the product label;
• Ensure that appropriate equipment and/or materials are immediately available to deal with and clean up leaks and spills;
• Ensure that the water supply system used is designed to prevent pesticide backup to the water source;
• Inspect the equipment used for loading, unloading and applying a pesticide to ensure it is in good working order and adapted to the type of work to be performed;
• Ensure that no one except the individual that applies the pesticide is on-site or exposed to the pesticide;
• Ensure that avicide-treated seeds for avian pests are placed in a bird feeder designed to prevent wind spread. The name of the avicide, its registration number, as well as the name, address and telephone number of the permit holder and the telephone number of the Poison Control Centre must be marked on the feeder.

Mandatory distancing

When mixing pesticides, comply with the following mandatory distancing:

• At least 30 metres from a lake, watercourse or wetland;
• 100 metres from a Class 1 or 2 water withdrawal site or a water withdrawal site used to produce spring or mineral water;
• 30 metres from a Class 3 water withdrawal site or any other groundwater withdrawal site.

When applying land-based pesticides, ensure compliance with the following distancing rules:

• 3 metres from a lake, watercourse or wetland (some exceptions apply);
• 1 metre from an agricultural ditch (some exceptions apply);
• 100 metres from a Class 1 or 2 water withdrawal site or a water withdrawal site used to produce spring or mineral water;
• 30 metres from a Class 3 water withdrawal site (some exceptions apply).

As applicable, check mandatory distancing for aerial spraying and applications in specific environments. Consult Distancing requirements when storing, mixing and applying pesticides (PDF 398 Kb)

As part of a structured intervention program, certain plant species that threaten health or biodiversity can be controlled by applying pesticides along the boundary of a lake, watercourse or wetland. Be sure to inform the appropriate regional office of the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs and the municipality or regional county municipality (RCM) concerned at least 21 days before starting the work by using the Notice prior to the application of pesticides to control a plant species along the boundary of a lake, watercourse or wetland (PDF 1.02 Mb) (French).

Specific rules also apply to selected sectors:

• Schools and daycares;
• Green spaces, golf courses and parasite management;
• Forests and transportation/transmission corridors;
• Stinging insects;
• Agriculture;
• Pesticide sales.

Certain activities that involve the use of pesticides  require authorization by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP).

Applicants must secure authorization  prior to the start of work. The authorization process ensures that the MELCCFP has full confidence that all required measures have been taken to minimize the environmental impacts of the pesticides and that their use is necessary at the target locations.

The Application for a Ministerial Authorization for the Use of Pesticides guide (PDF 1.76 Mb) (in French only) will assist you in completing the form required to carry out an activity as part of a new project or the modification of an existing project.