Ontario's cosmetic pesticides ban will take effect April 22, 2009. The requirements of the ban are detailed in Ontario Regulation 63/09 and the Pesticides Act, which was amended by the Cosmetic Pesticides Ban Act, 2008.
Golf courses are conditionally excepted from the ban provided they follow tough new rules. They must become accredited for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by an approved accreditation body. IPM uses a variety of tools, including best practices, mechanical and biological methods, along with pesticides when necessary, to manage pest populations. Golf courses must prepare an annual report on how they minimized their pesticide use and make the report accessible to the public. Also, they must hold a public meeting annually to present the report.