Forests, transport corridors, dikes and dams

Pesticides in this sector are mainly insecticides, used to control forest pests, and herbicides, used to promote the growth of saplings.

For road, railway and power corridors, the primary pesticides are herbicides used for the control of vegetation.

If your company uses pesticides by land for forest area applications, you will need a C7 or D7 “Application in forest areas” permit except if your operation has fewer than 10 employees, not counting management.
If you spray pesticides in forest areas, ensure that you hold the required certificate or are working under the supervision of a certificate holder:

• “Application in forest areas” (subclass CD7);
• “Forest Producer or Holder of a forest management permit” (subclasses F1 and F1.1);
• “Forest manager” (subclass F2).

Also required:

• Equip the sprayer with a device that prevents spillage if the sprayer tank holds 200 liters or more of pesticide;
• Mark the boundaries of application areas prior to pesticide application;
• Post a sign (PDF 273 Kb) (in French only) at the point of access of each passable road leading into the area to be treated;
• Publish a message describing the work to be carried out in a newspaper circulated in the territory where the work will be carried out or broadcast the message on a radio or television station in that territory from one to three weeks prior to the start of spraying if you operate a forestry business in a public forest or are a forest owner who intends to apply pesticides over an area greater than 100 hectares in a single administrative region in a single year;
• Comply with appropriate distancing directives (PDF 347 Kb) for sensitive environments.

If your company applies pesticides in road, railway or power corridors it must hold an “Application on Raw Land” subclass C3 or D3 permit.

If you apply pesticides in road, railway or power corridors you must hold an “Application on Raw Land” subclass CD3 certificate or work under the supervision of a holder of this type of certificate.

The following is required:

• If application is made in transport corridor, equip the sprayers that hold at least 200 litres of pesticide with a device that prevents spillage;
• Mark the application boundaries prior to the start of work;
• Comply with appropriate distancing directives (PDF 347 Kb) for sensitive environments.

If you are the owner or operator of a transport corridor, the following is required:

• Publish a message describing the work to be carried out in a newspaper circulated in the territory where the work will be carried out or broadcast the message on a radio or television station in that territory from one to three weeks starting the work:
• 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 RCM at least 21 days prior to the start of work;
  • Application of pesticides for the maintenance of a power corridor (PDF 1.51 Mb) (in French only);
  • Application of pesticides in the forest area or for non-agricultural purposes (PDF 1.60 Mb)  (in French only);
• Keep a register of work performed for five years.

A number of municipalities regulate the use of pesticides in power corridors within their boundaries. Familiarize yourself with regulations prior to the start of any work..

If your company performs aerial pesticide spraying (for example, by plane, helicopter or drone), you need to hold a subclass C1 or D1 “Aerial Application” permit.

If you perform aerial pesticide spraying, you need hold a subclass CD1 “Aerial Application” certificate or be supervised by a holder of such a certificate.

Specific environmental protection framework procedures

Aerial spraying of pesticides in these settings is regulated to ensure that all necessary measures have been taken to minimise environmental impact and that their use is necessary in the target locations.

You will require authorization from the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) prior to the application of pesticides in these settings, except for phytocides and/or Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk). The Application for a Ministerial Authorization for the Use of Pesticides guide (PDF 1.24 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.

When the area to be treated exceeds 600 hectares in these settings, aerial pesticide application projects are subject to the environmental impact assessment and review procedure, which includes an impact study and potential public hearings. The procedure is not applicable to Btk or, if the project is carried out by a local municipality and the target area is 5,000 ha or less, in the case of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti).

Application rules

• Mark the boundaries of the application areas or use air corridor guidance prior to pesticide application;
• The pilot or application supervisor must have a map or aerial photograph at hand that identifies permitted and prohibited application zones extending to 300 metres around the spraying area;
• Post a sign (PDF 273 Kb) (in French only) at the point of access of each passable road leading into the forest area to be treated prior to the start of work except when spraying insecticides;
• Publish a message announcing application of pesticides in a newspaper circulated in the territory where the work will be carried out or broadcast the message on a radio or television station in that territory from one to three weeks prior to the start of spraying in a road, railway or power corridor or on more than 100 hectares of public forests in a single administrative region in a single year;
• Comply with appropriate distancing directives (PDF 347 Kb) for sensitive environments.

If you plan to apply or subcontract the application of a phytocide or Btk, you need to:

• Inform the appropriate regional office of the MELCCFP and the municipality or RCM at least 21 days prior to starting the work by using one of the following forms:
  • Application of pesticides for the maintenance of a power corridor (PDF 1.51 Mb) (in French only);
  • Application of pesticides in the forest area or for non-agricultural purposes (PDF 1.60 Mb) (in French only);
• Keep a register of work performed for five years;
• Forward a completion of work report to the regional office of the MELCCFP no later than two months from the end of work.

If you plan to apply phytocides on a dam, dike or around a power station, or to subcontract the work, be sure to:

• Inform the appropriate regional office of the MELCCFP and the municipality or RCM at least 21 days prior to starting the work by using the form Application of pesticides in the forest area or for non-agricultural purposes (PDF 1.60 Mb) (in French only);
• Post a sign (PDF 276 Kb) (in French only) at the point of access of each public access to the area prior to the pesticide application.

Permit holders must maintain and keep a register of pesticide purchases and utilization. Based on the type of permit, the modèle de registre d’achat et d’utilisation de pesticides – permis de catégorie C (XLSX 78 Kb) (in French only) template or modèle de registre d’achat et d’utilisation de pesticides – permis de catégorie D (XLSX 53 Kb) (in French only) template may be used.