Within the mandate of the Health Protection Branch (HPB) of the former Department of National Health and Welfare was the protection of Canadians against health risks arising environmental or industrial hazards and unsafe food. The HPB was created in 1972 and included the organizational units Environmental Health and Field Operations. The Environmental Health Directorate provided surveillance and control services on a variety of occupational hazards such as radiation, pesticides, and toxic chemicals. The Field Operations Directorate became responsible for all surveillance and corrective action (compliance), data gathering and analysis. The HPB maintained its basic structure from its creation in 1972 until its dissolution in 2000.
In 1989, the Honourable Don Mazankowski, Minister of Agriculture, created a multidisciplinary task force -- the Pesticide Registration Review Team -- which issued a report in 1990. Known as the "Blue Book," this report recommended the creation of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and the transfer of legislative authority from the Minister of Agriculture to the Minister of Health. On February 9, 1995, the creation of the PMRA was announced as was the transfer of administrative responsibilities for the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) to the Minister of Health." The original PCPA was passed by Parliament in 1969. Although the PCPA was amended on several occasions it had never been systematically revised.
The PMRA was formally created in April 1995, and the Minister of Health was given administrative responsibility for the Act. It should be noted the PMRA was established "administratively" as a branch within Health Canada, whereas the transfer of legislative responsibility from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to the Minister of Health was effected by Order in Council issued on March 28, 1995. The PCPA received Royal Assent on December 12, 2002, and came into force on June 28, 2006.
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for administering the PCPA on behalf of the Minister of Health. Under authority of the PCPA, the PMRA seeks "to minimize health and environmental risks posed by pest control products and encourage the development and implementation of innovative, sustainable pest management strategies by facilitating access to pest control products that pose lower risks and by other appropriate measures."
The PMRA must also consider other Acts, such as the Pesticide Residue Compensation Act and the Food and Drug Act both of which have an impact on pest management. In addition, the PMRA follows the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act as an enforcement tool for the PCPA.
On March 29, 2000, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to record agreement on principles and the intent to establish mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of information and advice, and promote strong working relationships between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the PMRA with respect to pest control products, food safety, sustainable pest management and related activities.
The mandate of the CFIA, which began operations on April 1, 1997, is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of federal inspection and related services for food and animal and plant health. Given the complementary mandates of the CFIA and the PMRA this MOU was implemented to further enhance collaboration and coordination in the area of food safety and sustainable development in pest management research and technology transfer.
Sources: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/acts-lois/index-eng.php; http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=1031697&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=36&Ses=2&File=30 ; http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/acts-lois/pest/mou-cfia-acia-entente-eng.php
