Each summer, a green brigade storm the streets of Quebec. Mainly composed of committed students, it sows good practices in lawn maintenance, because even if mentalities change, the dream of a very green lawn remains rooted in many.
In the past few days, The newspaper Accompanied this brigade on the ground, in the streets of Charlesburg. Its mission: to sensitize citizens about drinking water consumption while monitoring compliance with the regulations on pesticides that have been in place since last year.
“It goes further than that. Yes, it is a question of raising awareness among people, not only of pesticides, but also of biodiversity, the need to change their gaze on the maintenance of the land, “explained Myriam Renaud, an environment advisor to Quebec City, who was present at the time of departure.
Myriam Renaud, environment advisor in Quebec City
Photo Diane Tremblay
During the visit, it only took just a few minutes to locate red pictograms indicating treatment with synthetic pesticides. Although their use is prohibited, specialized companies can request a temporary license for insecticides, but this exception is coming to an end. From 1is January 2026, all summary pesticides will be prohibited (see table) and the temporary permit mechanism will be abolished.
The brigade sometimes notes more problematic sectors than others as in new districts.
Photo Diane Tremblay
“We make a lot of observation. We are not going to knock on all the doors, but if we see a watering can and the person is outside, we will take advantage of it to talk to him. If she collaborates, we will leave a leaflet, “said the brigade coordinator, who prefers to keep her name.
“In general, it goes well. It is rare for people to answer us in a need of way, ”says Anaïs who is part of this brigade and who moves by electric car and scooter.
“I have already been answered that Quebec, water is not a problem. There is a thought that water is an inexhaustible resource, ”adds Bruno, who is also part of this green squad.
Quebec City entrusts the mandate of this brigade to the Société de la Rivière Saint-Charles, which coordinates activities. With the rainy summer, the recall on the watering of lawns poses fewer problems this year, unlike the use of pesticides, which requires sustained attention.
“With the cost of living that increases, I told myself that maybe people would have less money for lawn maintenance contracts (…), but no, it remains stable,” added the coordinator.
The dream of the perfect lawn
Having a well-supplied and very green lawn is a typically North American ideal, adds Mme Renaud, who maintains that Quebec does not make a separate band.
“It is true that, for many people, especially I would say for the 45-50 years and over, they like a beautiful uniform green lawn. So it’s not easy to change that paradigm, ”adds the advisor.
Admittedly, mentalities are evolving, but progress is measured by “small steps”, she underlines.
“But it is not going fast,” says the environment advisor, even if part of the population adheres to the proposed changes by leaving their lawn longer and by making more biodiversity arrangements in the front.
“We also encourage entrepreneurs to change their service offer, so that they do not lose their market, of course, and that they can be related to our regulations,” adds Mme Renaud.
Temporary permit for insecticide use
- 225 temporary permit in 2024
- 95 temporary permits dated July 8 for the year 2025
- 1 observation has been given by the city since the beginning of 2025 to a company that applied pesticides without registration certificate
- For synthetic insecticides in the lawn: they will be prohibited from 1is January 2026
- Biopesticides remain authorized at all times
- For parasitic management: in houses, the city does not regulate
- For outdoor parasitic management: if insects threaten the integrity of buildings or the health of people, companies will also be able to use synthetic pesticides
Source: Quebec City