Canadian municipalities are taking steps to prevent the sale of invasive plants in local garden centers, while advocates are urging the Canadian government to establish a national framework for regulating the horticultural industry. Invasive plants pose a threat to biodiversity nationwide, prompting municipalities to address gaps in the current regulatory system, which varies by region. Canada aims to reduce the introduction and establishment of known invasive species by at least 50% by 2030.
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) is advocating for the creation of a federal regulatory body overseeing the horticultural sector and the development of a national database identifying invasive plants and associated risks in different geographic areas. According to CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis, even if outright prohibition is not enacted, it is crucial to inform the public about potential harms associated with invasive plants, similar to regulations on other products.
While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulates some invasive plants, individual provinces and territories have their own legislation related to invasive species and weed control. Efforts to reach the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for comment were unsuccessful.
Recent municipal actions include Nanaimo’s motion to amend bylaws restricting the sale of plants listed by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. and Surrey’s decision to ban sales of invasive plants by various businesses. Additionally, London, Ont.’s environmental committee recommended retailers selling invasive plants and animals to provide customer information at the point of sale.
Kavassalis noted the challenge of addressing invasive plant issues at the municipal level rather than through a cohesive national approach, describing current solutions as fragmented and resource-intensive. Kirsty MacDonald, Nanaimo’s parks manager, emphasized the impact of invasive plants on the local environment and potential health risks to humans.
Advocates are calling for Ottawa to take action to meet the 2030 target set by the federal government by addressing the horticultural trade, which has been identified as a key pathway for introducing invasive plants. The CCIPR proposes the establishment of a national database to provide shared information on invasive plants’ risks and wants invasive plants either removed from sale or clearly labeled.
Horticulture expert Jim Hole highlighted the industry’s willingness to support efforts to curb the spread of invasive plants, citing examples of halting the sale of identified invasive species. Lorraine Johnson, a native plant advocate, emphasized the industry’s role in biodiversity loss and the importance of educating consumers about the impact of planting invasive species.
Regulating garden centers could help combat “plant blindness” among gardeners, encouraging a deeper understanding of the ecological significance of the plants in their gardens beyond mere decoration.
