Canada passes law expanding pesticide approval powers

Canada's federal government has passed Bill C30, which gives cabinet new authority to approve pesticides that Health Canada has determined are unsafe if ministers say the move supports economic or national food security. The changes, approved by the House of Commons and Senate before Parliament rose for the summer, update the Pest Control Products Act as part of a broader omnibus bill tied to the spring economic update. The law also allows cabinet to authorize certain pesticides for up to six years in cases of a serious infestation, even if the health minister has already rejected approval. The move has drawn strong criticism from environmental groups, public health advocates, scientists and opposition parties, who say it weakens sciencebased regulation and could put health and the environment at risk. The government says the powers will be used only in exceptional cases and argues they are meant to protect harvests, food supply and competitiveness.