Strychnine Stewardship Training Closed for 2026 Season
Please note that access to the Strychnine Stewardship Training for the 2026 season closed on September 1, 2026. Access to to the Strychnine Stewardship Training for the 2027 season will be available in early 2027.
Update July 27, 2026:
The RM of Sherwood has begun its controlled distribution of 2% Liquid Strychnine Concentrate for controlling Richardson’s ground squirrel (RGS) when significant or imminent economic damage is occurring in eligible areas. Ratepayers must complete all requirements listed below prior to accessing strychnine.
- Mandatory Strychnine Stewardship Training – click here to get started.
- Once completed, please bring a copy of your certificate at the time of purchase, or email a PDF copy to info@rmofsherwood.ca. Please note that it takes about two business days for your certificate to be valid.
- Users must complete and sign the Purchase Information and Treatment Plan and the Strychnine Use Declaration Form, which will be provided in the office at the time of purchase.
The cost of strychnine is $20.00 plus GST + PST per 250 mL bottle. It can be purchased at our office, located in 4400 Campbell Street, Regina, SK, S4W 0L3. Please note that we only accept cash, cheque, and debit at our office.
Update May 5, 2026:
Mandatory strychnine training for distributors and users is now available. Under the approved Emergency Use Registration (EUR), all RMs distributing strychnine and all users of strychnine are required to complete the mandatory training program.
The 90-minute online training course is available through the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) at https://sarm.ca/strychnine-stewardship-training/. The training provides an overview of responsible strychnine use, environmental protection, integrated pest management, and pesticide safety. It also covers strychnine user’s responsibilities as per the EUR, which includes an assessment of treatment areas for the presence of species at risk, as well as monitoring and documentation for all sites where strychnine is applied.
This training window will open from May 4 to September 1, 2026.
Strychnine Stewardship Program Overview
Strychnine Stewardship Program Overview of Requirements to Use Strychnine
Update April 21, 2026:
At this time, there is no stock of strychnine available for distribution in Canada. The registrant is expected to require approximately six to eight weeks to import the active ingredient, manufacture the 2% liquid strychnine concentrate, and distribute product across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
This means, for the 2026 season, strychnine may not be available until the late summer application window Mid-July after green material starts drying down. If strychnine is available before the spring application window closes, the Ministry of Agriculture will communicate through SARM to RMs that have expressed interest and completed required training in time.
Once logistics are finalized with the distributor, details on the provincial stewardship program and the required user training will be shared through SARM and your local RM.
Strychnine will only be available through this stewardship program, and all users will be required to complete mandatory training on species‑at‑risk protection, strychnine use restrictions, and pesticide safety. The program includes:
- In‑burrow application with mandatory covering of treated burrows to reduce access by non‑target species
- Carcass monitoring and collection (daily for the first week, then weekly for three additional weeks), with carcasses disposed of by burial or incineration
- Screening for species at risk, with high‑risk areas avoided unless appropriate mitigation measures can be demonstrated
- Comprehensive record‑keeping, including sales, use, and monitoring, along with field and records audits to ensure compliance
SARM continues to advocate for broader access where justified by producer need, while supporting safeguards that protect species at risk and other non‑target wildlife. We will keep members informed as PMRA considers Saskatchewan’s request to expand the eligible area and as product availability and training details are finalized.