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COVID-19 Updates: Taking steps to return to normal.
Alberta’s pesticide management regulations ensure that pesticides are safely transported, sold, stored, handled, applied and disposed.
Pesticide legislation is in place to ensure pesticide application in Alberta is conducted in a safe and effective manner that does not affect other people or the environment. Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) conducts routine inspections and responds to complaints about improper pesticide management.
In response to COVID-19, Alberta Environment and Parks has made necessary modifications to the pesticide Certification and Recertification requirements. Additionally, we have temporarily postponed all exams as all proctor locations have closed.
The notice that summarizes these changes has been published and can be found on the Open Government Portal at: Notice to Alberta applicators (COVID-19).
As a result of Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency re-evaluation decision (RVD2020-06) regarding strychnine and its associated end-use products AEP will be taking steps to amend vendor registrations for counties and municipalities selling strychnine.
The notice that summarizes these changes has been published and can be found on the Open Government Portal at: Notice to counties and municipalities selling strychnine.
Pesticide management regulations fall under the provincial Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). The EPEA contains the following regulations specific to pesticides:
The Government of Alberta has amended the Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation and the Pesticide Sales, Handling, Use and Application Regulation. This took effect June 7, 2018. The regulation links above contain the updates.
Notices that summarize the legislation changes have been published and can be found on the Open Government Portal at: Updates to pesticide regulations.
In Alberta, federal classes of pesticides (identified on the product label) have been further subdivided. These schedules are established under the Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation. Alberta has 4 categories or schedules based on a pesticide’s:
These are federally labelled restricted and some commercial pesticides. Most are fumigants and vertebrate toxicants. These pesticides can only be sold to:
They can only be used by bona fide farmers and certified applicators.
These are federally labelled commercial (or agricultural and industrial) pesticides. They can only be sold to:
They can only be used by:
These are federally labelled domestic pesticides for use by homeowners. They may be sold to anyone and used by householders around their own homes.
Anyone using these pesticides as a service must hold a pesticide applicator certificate, or they can be supervised by a certified applicator. This is also required when these pesticides are used in and around:
These federally labelled domestic and commercial pesticides may be sold to and used by anyone. They do not represent a significant risk to people or the environment when used as indicated on the label.
This schedule includes:
If a product has a certification statement indicated on the label, then the product becomes a Schedule 2 pesticide. This means vendors must be registered and can only sell to certified applicators. Only certified applicators can use these products.
For more on pesticide applicator certification and pesticide use requirements, see:
For more on dispenser certification and pesticide sales in Alberta, see:
More information on Schedule 1 – 4 pesticides can be found at:
Connect with Outreach Services:
Alberta Environment and Parks
9th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza 9920 108 Street
Edmonton Alberta T5K 2G8
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 310-3773 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Outside Alberta: 780-944-0313
Toll free: 1-877-944-0313
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Lakeland College for questions about pesticide applicator or dispenser certification:
Phone: 1-866-853-8646
Email: [email protected]
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