A new committee at Winnipeg's City Hall will take the first steps Monday in a process that could lead to new rules on pesticide use in the city.

The special committee wants approval to hold public hearings and work with medical experts on a report that could lead to a bylaw governing the use of pesticides on private property in the city.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, one of two councillors appointed to the committee, said she expects it will follow the same process used to come up with Winnipeg's anti-smoking bylaw a few years earlier.

"We heard from the medical community, we heard from experts, and it really became clear to everybody, including members of council, that we really need[ed] to reduce this health hazard," she said.

"The worst thing that can happen is that we will have more knowledge and more understanding, even if we don't do anything.  But I'm hoping we will see some action."

Gerbasi said the committee's work will focus on the pesticides used on lawns and gardens, not on the use of malathion to thwart mosquitoes during their active breeding periods.

The city's use of malathion has become controversial in recent years, with some citizens calling for the city to stop using it, citing health and environmental reasons.

The committee will ask the city's standing committee on protection and community services to approve its terms of reference on Monday.

Gerbasi expects public hearings will be held over the next few months; city council will receive a report in the fall.

City officials in Winnipeg have been mulling over some type of ban on certain types of lawn chemicals since at least 2002.

More than 60 Canadian communities have enacted partial or full bans on cosmetic lawn pesticides, including cities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.