What’s the Latest: Protesters stage ‘die-in’ against pesticides in Montreal
Protesters staged a “die-in” against pesticides in front of Health Canada’s offices in Montreal on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The demonstration aimed to highlight concerns over recent legislation allowing the use of banned pesticides, with participants laying on the ground and using props to convey their message.
Protesters staged a ‘die-in’ in front of Health Canada’s offices in Montreal on Saturday, October 31, 2026, as part of a wider demonstration against pesticide legislation. Similar protests occurred across the province in cities including Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Ottawa, highlighting collective concerns over recent federal government actions.
Thibault Rehn, executive director of Vigilance OGM, stated the protest was aimed at highlighting “historic setbacks” by the federal government regarding pesticide regulations. Further protests are planned in several cities across Quebec, including Quebec City and Ottawa, signalling continued public dissent against the recent legislation allowing the use of banned pesticides.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many protesters participated in the ‘die-in’ event in Montreal.
Protesters hold die-in demonstration against pesticides in Montreal
Protesters in Montreal staged a “die-in” on Saturday, 31 October 2026, to oppose the use of pesticides. The demonstration took place outside Health Canada’s offices in the downtown area, where participants highlighted the dangers of pesticides through a symbolic display.
Many attendees, donning Halloween costumes, lay on the ground, while others dressed in white coveralls mimicked the act of spraying pesticides over them. Children participated by tracing chalk outlines of pretend victims, and cardboard coffins along with tombstones bearing the names of various diseases were placed in front of the building.
Thibault Rehn, executive director of Vigilance OGM, one of the organisations behind the protest, expressed concerns over what he termed “historic setbacks” by the federal government. He specifically critiqued legislation passed in June that permits the cabinet to circumvent Health Canada and authorise the use of banned pesticides.
The protest in Montreal was part of a coordinated effort, with similar demonstrations occurring in multiple cities across Quebec, including Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Terrebonne, Blainville, Val-David, and Ottawa.
The collective action underscores a growing public anxiety over pesticide regulations and calls for greater accountability from the government.