Gatineau councillors ban pesticides for cosmetic use

Taylor Clark

Gatineau made a landmark decision on April 16 to adopt its first-ever bylaw governing the use and sale of pesticides for cosmetic purposes, which will come into force this month.

With the immediate implementation of the ban, the City planned to encourage more environmentally friendly alternatives, while reducing the risk pesticides have on human health and biodiversity within its territory.

For local environmental group Gatineau sans pesticides, the adoption of the regulation marked a historic evening.

“This regulation is a key element for several of your files, namely the environment and the fight against climate change, the biodiversity charter, the City’s environmental policy, and the water management plan. This regulation is also a key element in making our City a healthy city,” Gatineau sans pesticides member Nathalie Gaudet told council during the question period.

While the group was pleased to finally see the bylaw put into place, members wished the ban would extend to the community’s golf courses.

“For the sake of consistency, the regulation should include golf courses. This is important when we know that our City has 12 golf courses and that several are located near residences,” said member Monique Pellerin.

Golf courses will be permitted to continue the use of pesticide products to maintain their greens, but the regulation required the establishments to obtain Audubon certification by 2027. Two golf courses in the community have already completed the certification and the City indicated it will work with golf course owners to guide them through the process over the next three months.

Pellerin questioned when Gatineau would take the second step and include golf courses in the ban for the sake of the environment and the population’s health. Commission de l’environnement et de la lutte aux changements climatiques president Marc Bureau said the matter could be analyzed more specifically by the commission.

Photo caption: Gatineau sans pesticides member Monique Pellerin congratulates the City on taking a first step in regulating pesticides, but urges for the ban to incorporate golf courses.

Photo credit: Screenshot from Séance du conseil municipal du 16 avril 2024