Manage water soldier in Lake Simcoe

AI summary

Petitioners say the invasive aquatic plant water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) was discovered in Lake Simcoe in August 2024 and its presence confirmed by a Water Soldier Working Group. They assert the plant threatens human health, recreational use, native species, and nearby agriculture, and that remediation methods such as physical removal and herbicides exist. Petitioners ask the federal government to list or identify the species under federal law, designate a single federal lead agency, and provide funding and technical support to the Water Soldier Working Group or its members.

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 soldier is a threat to native plants, fishes, and animals because it chokes off native plants, crowds out native habitats, and alters water chemistry; Water soldier 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

No government response is available yet.