News Release

1995-88
December 18, 1995

National Standard for Pesticide Education, Training and Certification in Canada

OTTAWA - A cooperative effort by provincial, territorial, and federal governments, as well as user groups, has resulted in the development of a National Standard for Pesticide Education, Training and Certification, Health Minister Diane Marleau announced today.

Designed to standardize pesticide education and licensing programs across Canada, this project was co-ordinated by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency of Health Canada and provincial governments for the Canadian Association of Pesticide Control Officials (a national organization which fosters federal, provincial and multi-stakeholder cooperative programs). The National Standard standardizes the knowledge an applicator or vendor should have in order to be certified across Canada.

"The standard will ease communication, reciprocity and sharing of resources among provinces and territories. It will also lead to a more responsible and safer use of pesticides from the standpoint of workers and the environment," said Madame Marleau.

The standard represents a consensus on the basic knowledge needed by pesticide handlers. The document will assist in the development and delivery of more uniform educational programs directed at applicators and vendors of pesticides who require certification by provincial and territorial regulatory agencies.

"Many provinces and territories are already using the national standard for their training certification process," said Madame Marleau.

Information:
Marie-Josée de Saint-Victor,
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
(613) 952-5330, ext. 4488 or 1-800-267-6315