Text Descriptions - Awareness and Confidence in Canada's Pesticide Regulatory System
Figure 1: Top-of-Mind Thoughts About Pesticides and Pesticide Use
| Top-of-Mind Thoughts About Pesticides and Pesticide Use |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Negative mentions (NET) |
49% |
| Bad for people/ unhealthy/ health issues |
12% |
| Toxic |
9% |
| Bad/ harmful/ dangerous for the environment |
9% |
| Harmful/dangerous (unspecified) |
7% |
| Pollution/ contamination (water, air, soil, ecosystems) |
4% |
| Bad for animals/ insects/ living organisms |
4% |
| Bad/ not good/ don't like them |
4% |
| Killing/ extinction of bees |
3% |
| Cancer |
3% |
| Neutral mentions (NET) |
27% |
| Health/ environment (Subnet) |
21% |
| Pesticide/ Chemical Product (Subnet) |
7% |
| For agricultural products/ farm (unspecified) |
6% |
| Chemicals |
5% |
| For lawn/ garden care/ golf courses |
3% |
| They should be regulated/ controlled |
3% |
| Positive mentions (NET) |
21% |
| Pest/ weed control |
14% |
| Protect crops/ plants/ agricultural products |
4% |
| Necessary/ need to use |
4% |
| None/ Nothing |
5% |
| Don't know |
5% |
Return to Figure 1
Figure 2: Seen, Read, or Heard About Pesticides Over Last Three Months
| Seen, Read, or Heard About Pesticides Over Last Three Months |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| A lot |
4% |
| Something |
14% |
| Not too much |
34% |
| Nothing at all |
44% |
| Don’t Know |
4% |
Return to Figure 2
Figure 3: Agreement That Pesticides Are Necessary and Serve a Purpose
| Pesticides are necessary and serve a purpose |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| 7-Completely Agree |
15% |
| 6 |
14% |
| 5 |
22% |
| 4 |
20% |
| 3 |
11% |
| 2 |
6% |
| 1-Not at all |
6% |
| Don’t Know |
6% |
Return to Figure 3
Figure 4: Acceptability of Pesticides / Pest Control Product Use
| Acceptability of Pesticides / Pest Control Product Use |
Very acceptable |
Somewhat acceptable |
Not very acceptable |
Not at all acceptable |
Don't know |
| Residential private property, by homeowners |
19% |
45% |
19% |
11% |
6% |
| On building materials such as plywood and hardwood flooring |
16% |
45% |
20% |
10% |
10% |
| In the commercial forestry sector |
13% |
41% |
23% |
12% |
11% |
| In and around barns where agricultural animals are housed, such as poultry houses and cattle barns |
11% |
36% |
26% |
17% |
10% |
| Public green spaces |
9% |
32% |
31% |
20% |
8% |
| Food to be imported into Canada |
9% |
29% |
29% |
24% |
9% |
| Fruits and vegetables, and their products to be sold in Canada or exported |
8% |
31% |
29% |
23% |
8% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 4
Figure 5: Agree/Disagree
| Agree/Disagree |
7 - Completely agree |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 - Not at all |
Don't know |
| I would prefer to use a homemade/ natural/ organic pest control option than a registered pesticide |
33% |
18% |
14% |
13% |
6% |
3% |
4% |
8% |
| There are natural alternatives to pesticides that are as effective as conventional pesticides |
22% |
17% |
19% |
15% |
8% |
4% |
3% |
12% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 5
Figure 6: Agree/Disagree
| Agree/Disagree |
7 - Completely agree |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 - Not at all |
Don't know |
| I think pesticides currently used in agriculture in Canada are safe when used as directed |
11% |
15% |
19% |
20% |
10% |
6% |
8% |
12% |
| I am concerned that pesticides and pest control products, even when used as directed, are not safe |
22% |
17% |
18% |
16% |
9% |
7% |
4% |
7% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 6
Figure 7: Agreement That Pesticides and Pest Control Products Can Be Used Safely
| Agreement That Pesticides and Pest Control Products Can Be Used Safely |
Strongly agree |
Somewhat agree |
Somewhat disagree |
Strongly disagree |
Don't know |
| Insect- and rodent-controlling devices, such as mosquito zappers and mouse traps |
37% |
41% |
9% |
4% |
8% |
| Animal and insect repellents |
16% |
48% |
18% |
8% |
10% |
| Algicides, which can be used to control algae in pools and spas |
18% |
45% |
15% |
6% |
16% |
| Material and wood preservatives |
15% |
45% |
18% |
7% |
15% |
| Fungicides and antimicrobial agents, which are used against fungus and other micro organisms |
14% |
43% |
19% |
7% |
17% |
| Insecticides, which are used against bugs |
16% |
41% |
22% |
11% |
10% |
| Rodenticides, which are used against mice and rats |
18% |
38% |
20% |
10% |
14% |
| Herbicides, which are used against weeds |
15% |
38% |
22% |
14% |
10% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 7
Figure 8: Frequency of Use of Pesticides or Pest Control Products in Past 12 Months
| Frequency of Use of Pesticides or Pest Control Products in Past 12 Months |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Often |
5% |
| Sometimes |
22% |
| Rarely |
32% |
| Never |
40% |
| Don't know |
2% |
Return to Figure 8
Figure 9: Agree/Disagree
| Agree/Disagree |
7 - Completely agree |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 - Not at all |
Don't know |
| When I use a pesticide product, I always read the label |
49% |
15% |
10% |
8% |
4% |
1% |
2% |
10% |
| I can use pesticides safely if required |
19% |
15% |
18% |
17% |
8% |
6% |
6% |
10% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 9
Figure 10: Agree/Disagree
| Agree/Disagree |
7 - Completely agree |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 - Not at all |
Don't know |
| When I need information about pesticides, I am able to get it |
25% |
20% |
19% |
15% |
5% |
3% |
1% |
11% |
| I feel I am adequately informed about pesticides and pest control products |
8% |
12% |
17% |
22% |
13% |
9% |
12% |
7% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 10
Figure 11: Sources Likely to Reference for Information About Pesticides
| Sources Likely to Reference for Information About Pesticides |
Very likely |
Somewhat likely |
Not very likely |
Not at all likely |
Don't know |
| Health Canada website |
23% |
42% |
18% |
9% |
8% |
| Home improvement store/garden centre |
17% |
47% |
19% |
10% |
8% |
| Government of Canada websites |
18% |
41% |
21% |
11% |
10% |
| Pesticide product websites |
19% |
39% |
20% |
14% |
9% |
| A pesticide service provider |
10% |
35% |
27% |
17% |
10% |
| Environmental groups |
14% |
29% |
25% |
22% |
10% |
| Blogs |
5% |
17% |
25% |
42% |
11% |
| Other |
5% |
6% |
18% |
14% |
57% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 11
Figure 12: Ever Looked for Information on Pesticides from Any of the Following Sources
| Ever Looked for Information on Pesticides from Any of the Following Sources |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| On the internet |
36% |
| Garden centre |
29% |
| Hardware store |
19% |
| Pest control company /Pest control operator |
10% |
| A friend |
8% |
| A doctor |
4% |
| Other |
1% |
| None of the above |
46% |
Return to Figure 12
Figure 13: Where Looked for Information about Pesticides on the Internet
| Where Looked for Information about Pesticides on the Internet |
All who looked for information about pesticides on the internet (n=707) |
| Google |
65% |
| Pesticide product website |
38% |
| Health Canada website |
24% |
| Environmental groups website |
24% |
| Government of Canada website |
20% |
| Municipal government website |
12% |
| Youtube |
7% |
| Blogs |
6% |
| Facebook |
5% |
| Other |
1% |
| Don't know |
1% |
Return to Figure 13
Figure 14: What Would Be Most Likely to Search for on the Internet About Pesticides
| What Would Be Most Likely to Search for on the Internet About Pesticides |
All who looked for information about pesticides on the internet (n=707) |
| Safe-use information |
65% |
| Health related information |
60% |
| How to get rid of pests |
56% |
| Environmental impact information |
48% |
| Chemical content |
38% |
| Product selection information |
37% |
| How to identify pests |
28% |
| Other |
3% |
| None of the above |
1% |
Return to Figure 14
Figure 15: Believability of Sources
| Believability of Sources |
7 - Believe most of what they say |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 - Believe none of what they say |
Don't know |
| Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons |
21% |
21% |
24% |
17% |
7% |
1% |
2% |
8% |
| Canadian Cancer Society |
20% |
18% |
27% |
17% |
6% |
2% |
2% |
7% |
| A Health Canada Scientist |
14% |
23% |
27% |
19% |
7% |
3% |
2% |
6% |
| David Suzuki Foundation |
16% |
15% |
18% |
16% |
10% |
7% |
8% |
12% |
| A medical doctor |
12% |
17% |
28% |
24% |
9% |
3% |
2% |
6% |
| A Health Canada Spokesperson |
9% |
18% |
27% |
24% |
9% |
4% |
4% |
5% |
| Canadian Environmental Law Association |
7% |
14% |
24% |
22% |
11% |
6% |
5% |
11% |
| The Health Minister |
8% |
12% |
22% |
24% |
13% |
7% |
8% |
6% |
| A university professor |
5% |
11% |
25% |
27% |
14% |
7% |
3% |
9% |
| A Pesticide Manufacturer Spokesperson |
2% |
3% |
7% |
14% |
20% |
22% |
25% |
6% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 15
Figure 16: How knowledgable About Pesticides Regulatory Process in Canada
| How knowledgable About Pesticides Regulatory Process in Canada |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Very knowledgable |
1% |
| Somewhat knowledgeable |
13% |
| Not very knowledgeable |
45% |
| Not at all knowledgable |
41% |
Return to Figure 16
Figure 17: Agree/Disagree: ‘Health Canada assesses the safety of pesticides before deciding whether they can be registered for sale and use in Canada.’
| Agree/Disagree: ‘Health Canada assesses the safety of pesticides before deciding whether they can be registered for sale and use in Canada.’ |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| 7 - Completely aware |
5% |
| 6 |
8% |
| 5 |
18% |
| 4 |
18% |
| 3 |
12% |
| 2 |
8% |
| 1 - Not at all aware |
24% |
| Don't know |
7% |
Return to Figure 17
Figure 18: Level of Government Responsible for Regulating Pesticides in Canada
| Level of Government Responsible for Regulating Pesticides in Canada |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Federal government |
62% |
| Provincial government |
34% |
| Municipal government |
20% |
| Don't know |
18% |
| Federal Government |
Base: All who think the Federal government is responsible for regulating pesticides in Canada (n=1,257) |
| Agriculture and Agri-food Canada |
73% |
| Health Canada |
55% |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada |
34% |
| Don’t Know |
9% |
| Provincial Government |
All who think the Provincial government is responsible for regulating pesticides in Canada (n=696) |
| Minister of Agriculture |
67% |
| Minster of the Environment |
64% |
| Minister of Health |
46% |
| Don’t know |
8% |
Return to Figure 18
Figure 19: Level of Understanding About How Pesticide Regulatory Decisions Are Made
| Level of Understanding About How Pesticide Regulatory Decisions Are Made |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| 7 - High level of understanding |
1% |
| 6 |
2% |
| 5 |
8% |
| 4 |
15% |
| 3 |
20% |
| 2 |
20% |
| 1 - Do not understand at all |
33% |
Return to Figure 19
Figure 20: Information Considered when a Pesticide Regulatory Decision is Made
| Information Considered when a Pesticide Regulatory Decision is Made |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Academic/Peer-reviewed studies |
45% |
| Industry-sponsored studies |
35% |
| Industry sector priorities |
27% |
| Public opinion |
20% |
| None of the above |
8% |
| Don't know |
33% |
Return to Figure 20
Figure 21: Products Regulated as Pesticides in Canada
| Products Regulated as Pesticides in Canada |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Weed Killer (Herbicides) |
51% |
| Insect repellants/ bug spray |
41% |
| Ant traps (Insecticides) |
33% |
| Swimming pool chemicals |
31% |
| Treated wood |
30% |
| Pet flea collars |
25% |
| Bug zapper |
16% |
| None of the above |
4% |
| Don't know |
36% |
Return to Figure 21
Figure 22: Agree/Disagree
| Agree/Disagree |
7 - Completely agree |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 - Do not agree at all |
Don't know |
| When pesticides pose unacceptable risks they are removed from the Canadian market |
13% |
20% |
21% |
19% |
7% |
4% |
3% |
14% |
| I am confident that Health Canada's PMRA has adequate processes in place to keep my food and drinking water safe from pesticide residues |
9% |
19% |
25% |
20% |
7% |
4% |
4% |
11% |
| Health Canada's PMRA keep pace with modern science in its pesticide decisions |
9% |
18% |
21% |
19% |
8% |
4% |
3% |
17% |
| Health Canada's PMRA acts quickly enough to remove unsafe pesticides from the market |
7% |
14% |
19% |
22% |
9% |
6% |
4% |
18% |
All Respondents (n=2,015)
Return to Figure 22
Figure 23: Tasks Health Canada's PMRA is Responsible for with Regards to Pesticides
| Tasks Health Canada's PMRA is Responsible for with Regards to Pesticides |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Making sure a product meets health standards |
67% |
| Requiring specific warning statements on product labels |
64% |
| Making sure a product meets environmental standards |
64% |
| Pulling unsafe products from the shelves |
61% |
| Setting safety standards for companies to follow |
59% |
| Reviewing products on the market on an ongoing basis to make sure they continue to meet safety standards |
58% |
| Making sure products contain the ingredients they say they do |
57% |
| Ensuring products are not contaminated |
43% |
| Making sure a product is effective for controlling pests |
42% |
| Reviewing product advertising |
29% |
| None of the above |
1% |
| Don't know |
19% |
Return to Figure 23
Figure 24: Aware that Health Canada’s PMRA Consults with the public on decisions related to pesticides?
| Aware that Health Canada’s PMRA Consults with the public on decisions related to pesticides? |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Yes |
13% |
| No |
87% |
Return to Figure 24
Figure 25: Know how to participate in the pesticides decision making process carried out by Health Canada's PMRA?
| Know how to participate in the pesticides decision making process carried out by Health Canada's PMRA? |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Yes |
4% |
| No |
96% |
Return to Figure 25
Figure 26: Confidence in Health Canada's PMRA
| Confidence in Health Canada's PMRA |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
Very confident |
8% |
Somewhat confident |
49% |
Not very confident |
23% |
Not at all confident |
7% |
Don't know |
13% |
Return to Figure 26
Figure 27: How Canada's Pesticide Regulatory System Compares to the European Union
How Canada's Pesticide Regulatory System Compares to the European Union
Compared to the European Union, Canada’s pesticide regulatory system is… |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Better than |
17% |
| Same as |
57% |
| Worse than |
26% |
| Better than : Why do you say that ? |
All who think that the pesticides regulatory system in Canada is BETTER THAN the European Union (n=341) |
| Canada has a better regulatory system/ enforcement |
15% |
| (European Union) Poor/ worse/ lack of regulatory systems |
4% |
| In Canada, more based on research/ scientific data/ better experience |
4% |
| Worse than : Why do you say that ? |
All who think that the pesticides regulatory system in Canada is WORSE THAN the European Union (n=533) |
| Europe has a better regulatory system/ enforcement |
30% |
| (Canada) Poor/ worse/ lack of regulatory systems |
10% |
| Europe is more environmentally friendly |
9% |
| Europe is more focused on people/ health/ safety standards |
5% |
| Europe is more progressive/ advanced |
4% |
Return to Figure 27
Figure 28: How Canada's Pesticide Regulatory System Compares to the United States
| Compared to the United States, Canada’s pesticide regulatory system is… |
All Respondents (n=2,015) |
| Better than |
39% |
| Same as |
50% |
| Worse than |
11% |
| Better than: Why do you say that? |
All who think that the pesticides regulatory system in Canada is BETTER THAN the United States (n=789) |
| Canada has a better regulatory system/ enforcement |
30% |
| US is less regulated/poor regulatory systems |
21% |
| US has strong/ influential lobbyists/ government lobbying system |
7% |
| US has more pesticides/ herbicides available in stores |
7% |
| Worse than : Why do you say that? |
All who think that the pesticides regulatory system in Canada is WORSE THAN the United States (n=215) |
| US has better regulatory system/ enforcement |
7% |
| US has less environmental concerns/ not eco-friendly |
4% |
| Strong/ influential lobbyists/ government lobbying system |
4% |
Return to Figure 28