List water soldier as invasive

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to list water soldier as invasive, appoint one federal lead, and fund management in Lake Simcoe and other Ontario waters. The government responds it enforces AIS rules and participates.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the following: Whereas The invasive aquatic plant species water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) was discovered in Lake Simcoe in the area of Cook's Bay in August 2024 and its presence was confirmed by the Water Soldier Working Group, which group comprises federal and provincial government agencies, local municipalities, conservation authorities, first nations, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations dedicated to preventing the spread of water soldier and managing existing populations; Water soldier is a physical threat to human health and the recreational enjoyment of Lake Simcoe because of its sharp serrated leaves and dense growth mats; Water solider is a threat to native plants, fishes, and animals because it chokes off native plants, crowds out native habitats, and alters water chemistry; Water solider is a threat to local agriculture because of its connection and proximity to the Holland River, which is an important water source for agricultural operations; and Effective remediation measures exist to stop the spread of water soldier and manage existing populations, such as physical removal and herbicidal treatments. Therefore, we, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to: 1. List or otherwise identify water soldier as an invasive aquatic plant species under relevant federal law; 2. Nominate a single federal department or agency to take responsibility for federal efforts to stop the spread and manage existing populations of water soldier, including by representing federal interests to the Water Soldier Working Group; and 3. Allocate sufficient financial and technical support to the Water Soldier Working Group or its group members to research, monitor, remove, and manage water solider populations in Lake Simcoe and other bodies of water in Ontario.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Fisheries Signed by Ernie Klassen Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species through regulatory enforcement, technical support, and public outreach. Fisheries and Oceans Canada actively participates in multi-agency initiatives such as the Water Soldier Working Group, provides training and expertise, and funds targeted awareness campaigns. Fisheries and Oceans Canada invests in long-term prevention strategies, including through both its Aquatic Invasive Species Program and the development of national standards. Under section 10 of the federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations (AIS Regulations), it is illegal to introduce an aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized under federal, provincial, or territorial law. The section 10 prohibition applies to any non-indigenous species, including water soldier, whether the species is listed under Part 2 or Part 3 of the Schedule in the AIS Regulations or not. Under section 22 of the AIS Regulations, in the event that an unauthorized introduction of an aquatic species is imminent or in the process of occurring, a federal Fishery Officer or a provincial conservation officer may issue direction to a person prohibiting the introduction, or directing that person to cease engaging in any activity that may lead to the introduction.Under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act and regulations, water soldier has been a prohibited species since 2016. Prohibited activities include bringing a member of the species into Ontario, as well as depositing, releasing, possessing, transporting, propagating, and buying/selling/leasing/trading members of the species. Managing aquatic invasive species is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial, and territorial governments. The Government of Ontario generally leads the management of non-indigenous freshwater plants. In 2020, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry published its “Prevention and Response Plan for Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) in Ontario.” The management of water soldier within the federally administered lands and waters of Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site is co-led by Parks Canada and the Government of Ontario. Certain waterbodies within and adjacent to the Trent-Severn Waterway, including lakes Simcoe, Couchiching and the Bay of Quinte, are under provincial jurisdiction where water soldier management is led by the Government of Ontario with support from Parks Canada. Since 2017, Parks Canada has treated an average of 142 hectares per year in the Trent-Severn Waterways, achieving up to 95 per cent reductions in the original infestation area. Within available resources, work is ongoing to control and eradicate this invasive species. Fisheries and Oceans Canada participates in the Water Soldier Working Group and offers technical assistance. The working group is a multi-agency effort that includes Parks Canada, Quinte Conservation, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Foundation, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Indigenous communities, academia, and municipalities. In addition, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has offered assistance with respect to management efforts and supported training hosted by Parks Canada so that program staff are equipped with the knowledge of how to identify and safely remove water soldier. Fisheries and Oceans Canada supports broader efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, including conducting and participating in public outreach campaigns such as Don’t Let It Loose, the aim of which is to prevent the introduction of AIS, and Clean, Drain, Dry – the aim of which is to prevent the spread of AIS. The 2022 Fall Economic Statement identified $36.6 million in funding over five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to expand its Aquatic Invasive Species Program. This funding includes $8.75 million in contribution funding to launch the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund from fiscal years 2022-23 to 2026-27 to increase awareness and action amongst Canadians. Fisheries and Oceans Canada funded the Invasive Species Centre for a one-year, $59,000 project in 2021 to coordinate and deliver a Don’t Let it Loose campaign to mitigate the impacts of invasive species spread through novel communication techniques and outreach. This project was expanded in 2022, and a new three-year project was awarded for $233,000 to expand outreach and prevention efforts for organisms in trade, including water garden plants. Fisheries and Oceans Canada funded the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for a $233,000 project spanning three years, which promoted actions and awareness related to the national Clean, Drain, Dry campaign. The focus was to reach boaters, anglers, and other recreationists across Ontario to emphasize the importance of cleaning watercraft to mitigate the risk of spreading invasive species (including water soldier). On behalf of the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has contracted the Canadian Standards Association for $225,322 over two years (2024 to 2026) to develop a national decontaminated standard for recreational watercrafts and equipment to help prevent the spread of invasive species.