The Manitoba government introduced legislation that would allow Manitobans to use federally-approved cosmetic pesticides and expand the list of areas protected from the application of cosmetic pesticides.

If approved, amendments to the Environment Act would allow the use of cosmetic pesticides in boulevards, sidewalks, residential lawns, rights-of-way and fairgrounds. Areas where they can’t be used include municipal playgrounds, dog parks, picnic areas and provincial parks, schools, child-care centres and hospitals.

“Our government recognizes the need for a safe and responsible approach to using cosmetic pesticides,” Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton said in a news release. “We’ve heard from Manitobans and their concerns that current methods are ineffective. This legislation would help protect areas frequented by children and pets while allowing Manitobans to apply Health Canada approved products safely and minimize overall environmental impacts.”

Reports say a ban was enacted in 2014 but some exceptions were made for areas high-risk for noxious weeds or invasive species, as well as agricultural land and golf courses. There was an exemption for use in personal gardens, meaning people could buy cosmetic pesticides as long as they told the cashier that it was for their tomato plants, for example, and not their lawns.

It was met with opposition, with municipal leaders saying they had to use less-effective products and it cost more to use them.

“The Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) supports the decision to align with federal regulations and rigorous Health Canada review processes,” said president of the AMM Kam Blight said. “Aligning with federal regulations will allow municipalities to effectively manage weed control programs while mitigating financial pressures on municipal budgets.”

Furthermore, in public feedback, the province noted “more than 60 percent of respondents indicated the restrictions on the sale and usage of pesticides for cosmetic use were too strict, and over 70 percent wanted to see the current restrictions reduced or rescinded.”

The opposition NDP are reportedly concerned with the proposed amendments, saying its a step backward because it would result in more chemicals going into the ground and waterways.