Fighting Invasive Species

Invasive species are one of the leading threats to Ontario's biodiversity. Invasive species are defined as harmful alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health. Once they are established, they are extremely difficult and costly to control and eradicate, and their ecological effects are often irreversible.

In response to the threats posed by invasive species, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, and Ministry of Transportation developed the Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan. The objectives of this strategic plan are to prevent new invaders from arriving and surviving in Ontario, to slow and where possible reverse the spread of existing invasive species, and to reduce the harmful impacts of existing invasive species.

To be successful in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species, non-government organizations, stakeholders, municipal level government agencies, and members of the general public must also be involved. Read the Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan.

Japanese knotweed

Invasive species have been a problem in Ontario since Europeans first settled in the province.  They are introduced by human actions and we all have a responsibility to help prevent them.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care are working with other government agencies, partners and the public to prevent the arrival and spread of invasive species and the negative effects they have on Ontario's ecosystems, economy and society. Measures to fight invasive species include outreach and education, monitoring and research, control and management, and policies and regulations.

Outreach and education - Preventing the spread of invasive species is the responsibility of all Ontarians. It's important that we all understand the issue, and learn how to identify invasive species and stop their spread. In 1992 the government of Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters established the Invading Species Awareness Program. One of the program's main goals is to help Ontarians learn about invasive species and how to stop their spread.
 

The Invasive Species Centre (ISC) was founded in March 2011 with the support of the federal government of Canada and the government of Ontario. The organization is incorporated as a not-for-profit entity, and its affairs are managed by a Board of Directors in accordance with board-approved bylaws and policies. The ISC operates both as a formal centre, based in Sault Ste. Marie, and a virtual network with organizations and groups that have common interests in invasive species. The network includes: federal and provincial government agencies; academia; municipalities; First Nations; industry; and, non-government organizations. The ISC focuses on coordination of research, data management, strategic planning, mitigation and response actions, and rehabilitation efforts for the purpose of combating terrestrial and aquatic alien invasive species that threaten Ontario’s natural resources and ecosystems, and add hundreds of millions of dollars of costs per year to our economy

Monitoring and research - Monitoring helps us track invasive species and see when they move into new areas of the province. It also helps us identify new invasive species that might enter Ontario in the future. Research helps us find ways to control invasive species and understand the effect of invasive species on Ontario's native species and ecosystems. Monitoring and research provide important information that's used to develop new policies and regulations to help stop the spread of invasive species in Ontario. They also help us improve policies and regulations.

Prevention, management and control - Preventing the arrival of new invasive species is the best way to protect our environment. If invasive species do enter Ontario, we use control measures to kill them and prevent them from spreading into new areas of the province. Invasive species can be physically removed, killed with pesticides, or reduced or eliminated through the use of other living organisms.

Policies and regulations - Strong policies and regulations help us detect invasive species, and provide guidelines on how to manage new invasive species and prevent the spread of those that are already established. Policies and regulations also encourage all Ontarians to help stop the spread of invasive species.