Bill 132 Tabled in Ontario Legislature

Posted October 31, 2019

By: Teri Dickinson, Regulatory Affairs Group Manager, email

On October 28, 2019, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, tabled Bill 132, Better for People, Smart for Business Act. The Bill announced a package of over 80 proposed actions. Its purpose is “to eliminate unnecessary or outdated rules and streamline regulations that need updating”. The Ontario Government has also published a high-level background document and press release outlining the proposed actions.

If passed, this includes amendments to the Ontario Pesticides Act to speed up access to new pesticide products.

Ontario proposes to reduce the complexity and burden associated with pesticide management while ensuring continued environmental protection. It is proposed to align Ontario’s pesticide classifications with the federal government as all other provinces have done. This would remove duplication and create a more efficient process for the sale and use of pesticides in Ontario. It would result in the elimination of the application process for pesticides. It would also eliminate the need for the Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee (OPAC), whose primary function is advising on the classification of pesticides. The change would ensure a more standardized regime across Canada.

Ontario is also proposing to maintain restrictions on neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds. This would help ensure environmental protection, with some relief of administrative burden. It would also maintain the cosmetic pesticide ban to protect Ontario families and children from the unnecessary risks of using pesticides for cosmetic purposes. Ontario is proposing to add cemeteries to the list of exemptions from the ban, under certain conditions similar to exemptions for golf courses, sports fields, agriculture, specialty turf and invasive species control.

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