Ottawa allows temporary use of gopher poison in Alberta, Saskatchewan

By: The Canadian Press Posted: Last Modified:

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OTTAWA - Ottawa is temporarily allowing the return of the rodent poison strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan as those provinces grapple with gopher infestations.

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OTTAWA – Ottawa is temporarily allowing the return of the rodent poison strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan as those provinces grapple with gopher infestations.

A statement from the federal ministers of health and agriculture says allowing its use will help farmers address damage caused by Richardson’s ground squirrels.

The federal government banned strychnine in 2024 as it posed risks to other wildlife that consume poisoned carcasses.

A Richardson's ground squirrel pokes up from its burrow on Monday, July 14, 2025, in a vacant lot in Minot, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)
A Richardson's ground squirrel pokes up from its burrow on Monday, July 14, 2025, in a vacant lot in Minot, N.D. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)

The Prairie provinces have recently pushed Health Canada to reconsider, arguing gophers are threatening crops and causing millions of dollars’ worth of damage.

Health Canada initially rejected the proposal, but reversed course Monday after the provinces submitted a revised emergency-use request that included measures to lower environmental risks.

The ministers say the federal authorization will be in place until November 2027.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2026.

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