Meeting of Ministers responsible for Forests, Wildlife, Endangered Species and Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council

Species that have been introduced into areas beyond their natural distribution, either accidentally or deliberately, are known as alien species. These can include mammals, birds, fish, plants, insects, bacteria or other organisms.

Invasive alien species are those species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy or society. Examples include purple loosestrife, which is choking Canadian wetlands; the zebra mussel, which has eliminated native species in the Great Lakes and clogged water lines and fouled engines, boats and piers in Ontario; MSX disease of oysters, which threatens the shellfish aquaculture industry in the Maritimes; and the Asian Long Horned Beetle, which has resulted in the destruction of a significant number of trees in Toronto and Vaughn, Ontario.

Invasive Alien Species have been identified as a significant problem in a number of recent reports, including the 4th Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans: Aquatic Invasive Species: Uninvited Guests, released in May 2003. In a report released in October 2002, the Attorney General of Canada concluded that the federal government has not taken effective action to prevent the introduction of invasive species that threaten Canada’s environment.

In its 11th Biennial Report on Great Lakes Water Quality, released in September 2002, the International Joint Commission devoted an entire chapter to the problem of invasive alien species, noting that “Governments need to take more aggressive steps to end the invasion of alien species.”

Invasive alien species are a significant threat requiring coordinated action by all Canadian jurisdictions. In September 2003, the joint meeting of federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers responsible for wildlife, forests, and fisheries and aquaculture approved a discussion document that became the foundation for a draft Strategic Plan for Canada. To complement the draft Strategic Plan, proposed action plans were prepared on aquatic invasive species, invasive alien terrestrial plants and plant pests, and wildlife disease (National Wildlife Disease Strategy) by three federal-provincial-territorial thematic working groups. Public consultations on the draft Strategic Plan and action plans were held during the spring and summer 2004, and the thematic working groups continued to assess priority policy issues, pathways of invasion, and invasive alien species of concern to complete the proposed action plans.

“An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada” was presented to the joint meeting of Ministers for their consideration and approval. The purpose of the Strategy is to establish a coordinated national policy and management framework that minimizes the risk of invasive alien species to the economy, environment, and society. The Strategy seeks to establish a comprehensive, coordinated and efficient system that protects Canada’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, domestic animals and plants, and native biodiversity. The Strategy outlines a response to the invasive alien species challenge through a hierarchical approach that priorities:

1) prevention of new invasion;
2) early detection of new invaders;
3) rapid response to new invaders; and
4) management of established and spreading invaders (eradication, containment, and control).

The Strategy focuses on enhancing national leadership and coordination, and proposes to implement the Strategy through the application of risk analysis, science and technology, legislation and regulations, education and outreach, and international co-operation.

Work is continuing on the development of the proposed action plans on aquatic invasive species, invasive alien terrestrial plants and plant pests, and invasive alien animals, which are expected to be completed for the consideration and approval of Ministers in September 2005.