Politics · Canada · 1 day ago
Protesters stage pesticide regulation die-in on Parliament Hill
About 40 people staged a pesticide protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Halloween, using cardboard tombstones in a die-in.
They objected to Bill C-30, passed in June, and proposed Bill C-31, which is moving through the House of Commons and Senate.
Bill C-30 lets the government approve some pesticides it considers important for economic or food security, including some previously deemed unsafe by Health Canada.
Bill C-31 would let the health minister delay or narrow reviews of registered pest control products.
Protesters, including health and environmental advocates and farmers, say weaker safeguards could expose people to harmful chemicals, with children at particular risk.
The bills have drawn concern over public health and whether pesticide decisions will rely on evidence and independent testing.
The government says it will make decisions transparently and allow certain pesticides only temporarily and under conditions; Bill C-31 is still being considered.
About 40 protesters staged a Halloween “die-in” on Parliament Hill over federal pesticide regulations.
They said Bill C-30 and proposed Bill C-31 would weaken safeguards and put corporate profit ahead of public health.
Bill C-30, passed in June, allows the government to authorize some pesticides previously deemed unsafe by Health Canada.
Proposed Bill C-31 would let the health minister delay or narrow reviews of registered pest control products.
The Health Minister’s spokesperson said the government would be transparent and allow certain pesticides only temporarily and under conditions.
- Who
- About 40 protesters, including activists, physicians and farmers, took part.
- What
- They staged a “die-in” against federal pesticide regulation changes in two bills.
- When
- Saturday morning, October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Parliament Hill in Ottawa; similar protests took place in seven Quebec cities.
- Why
- Protesters said the bills roll back pesticide safeguards and could expose people to harmful chemicals.
Pesticide-regulation protesters
Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s spokesperson
Effect of the bills
Pesticide-regulation protesters
Protesters said the bills roll back restrictions and regulatory measures on pesticides.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s spokesperson
The spokesperson said the government would permit certain pesticides temporarily and under conditions.
Public health
Pesticide-regulation protesters
Protesters warned that reduced reassessment could expose the population to harmful chemicals.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s spokesperson
The spokesperson said cabinet would be transparent in its decisions.
Bill C-30 passed.
About 40 people staged a pesticide-regulation die-in on Parliament Hill.
Similar protests took place in seven cities across Quebec.
- Parliament Hill protest
- About 40 people
- Bill C-30
- Passed in June
- Bill C-31
- Proposed omnibus bill working its way through the House of Commons and the Senate
- Quebec protests
- Seven cities, including Quebec City, Montreal and Terrebonne
- Bill C-30 authority
- Allows the government to authorize pesticides it considers in the interest of economic or national food security
What people are saying
Kids especially have a lot more risk to pesticides
Without the opportunity to do this reassessment, we really risk exposing our entire population to harmful chemicals that can affect them for decades
Some of these pesticides might be safe, we don't know. We need the government to really run the tests, and not rely on the manufacturers of the pesticides to run those tests