Alberta’s auditor general has found the provincial environment ministry lacks adequate processes around improper pesticide use.
“We identified significant deficiencies in the department’s processes related to regulating pesticides and to evaluating the pesticide program effectiveness,” read the conclusion of a report from auditor general Doug Wylie, released this month. “We also found that public information on registered pesticide products and their use is not current and accurate.”
The report highlighted a 10-year period from 2008-18, noting a 40 percent increase in volume of pesticides sold in the province, as well as a 34 percent rise in intensity of use per hectare.
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The auditor general conducted interviews with Environment and Parks staff, examined records, reviewed program materials and assessed processes for provincial monitoring of compliance, while comparing what Alberta does compared to the rest of the country.
The report noted the Environment Ministry stopped proactive pesticide inspections in 2017. As well, compliance activities that were being conducted were insufficient, and specifically noted that monitoring of pesticide applications near water were lacking.
The report also flagged processes to ensure pesticides are applied by certified individuals, calling them “not sufficient” and stating there are no performance metrics to evaluate whether pesticide programs are working as intended.
A statement from Alberta Environment and Parks stated work is underway to address the recommendations and the province continues to conduct routine inspections of pesticide management while responding to complaints of improper use.
“Alberta’s pesticides management program is one of the best in the country, with adequate pesticide legislation in place to ensure pesticide applications are carried out in a safe and effective manner that does not affect other people or the environment.”
The ministry said it has made improvements since 2019 in providing public information on pesticide listing and registration.
The ministry said it is redesigning its internal processes to be “risk-based and outcome-focused.”
The province said it plans to introduce a new digital regulatory assurance system to modernize pesticide use and compliance, and provide more timely and efficient tracking.
The ministry also stated, “the federal government evaluates and registers pesticides that are safe to use in Canada and sets minimum requirements for how to use them. This evaluation includes human health and environmental elements of pesticides.”
The auditor general found Alberta, like most other provinces, does not exercise its authority to control use of some controversial pesticides, leaving that to the federal government, which regularly assesses products for health and environmental protection standards.
However, the report recommended that the ministry regularly evaluate pesticide programs to meet, “its objectives of minimizing negative impacts on health and the environment from pesticide use.”
