TORONTO—Ontario is taking action to protect communities from invasive species through prevention, early detection, rapid response and eradication of invasive species in the province.
The Ontario government re-introduced the proposed Invasive Species Act, 2014, which the government claims, if passed, will protect the province’s natural environment from invasive species and the significant social, environmental and economic costs they pose for Ontarians.
The act would give Ontario the tools to ban activities such as possessing and transporting certain invasive species, allow the government to intervene earlier and enable rapid response actions, including working with partners to stop an invasive species from spreading (for example by preventing the movement of contaminated firewood) and help promote compliance through inspection and enforcement measures.
Preventing the spread of invasive species supports the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The government says the four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
“Invasive species pose a significant risk to our natural environment and our economy. This legislation would make Ontario a national leader in invasive species prevention and management,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Bill Mauro. “Working with our key partners, our proposed Invasive Species Act will serve as a critical tool in our collective fight against the growing threat of invasive species in Ontario.”
“I am pleased the Ontario government has re-introduced the Invasive Species Act, a positive step in the fight against invasive species,” said Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) Executive Director Angelo Lombardo. “The sale, movement and importation of invasive species in Ontario are serious concerns. This legislation will provide the minister with the much needed tools to immediately react when a new species or threat is identified.”
“Invasive species have already impacted our lakes and woodlands, and the potential long term economic impact is staggering,” explains OFAH Invasive Species Program coordinator Matt Smith. “The cost of not addressing this threat to our environment and the economy can be measured in the billions of dollars.”
The Invasive Species Act would position Ontario as the first and only jurisdiction in Canada to enact standalone invasive species legislation.
Invasive species costs to the environment, agriculture and communities, including control costs, are estimated at $1.4 trillion globally. That is the equivalent of five percent of the global economy and seven times the cost of natural disasters.
The Invading Species Hotline can be reached at 1-800-563-7711 or by email info@invadingspecies.com. A free EDDMapS app to identify and report invasive species from your smartphonecan also be downloaded from www.eddmaps.org/ontario/ and more on the province’s plans to combat invasive species can be found by reading the Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan at www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/ontario-invasive-species-strategic-plan-2012.
