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 location. Canada has committed to reducing the introduction and establishment of known invasive species by 50% by 2030.
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) is calling on the federal government to create a regulatory body for the horticultural sector and develop a national database that identifies invasive plants and their associated risks in different regions. CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis emphasized the importance of informing the public about potential harm posed by invasive plants, suggesting a similar approach to other regulated products.
While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency oversees some invasive plant regulations, individual provinces and territories have their own legislation on invasive species and weed control. Efforts to reach the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
Recent actions by municipalities include Nanaimo’s motion to amend a bylaw restricting the sale of plants listed by the Invasive Species Council of B.C., and Surrey’s decision to ban the sale of invasive plants by various businesses. Similarly, London’s environmental committee recommended that retailers selling invasive plants provide information to customers during the point of sale.
Kavassalis expressed concern that the responsibility of addressing invasive plants is being shifted to municipalities, leading to fragmented solutions that waste resources. Kirsty MacDonald, Nanaimo’s parks manager, highlighted the impact of invasive plants on the local environment and potential health risks.
Advocates are urging Ottawa to address the horticultural trade to meet the government’s 2030 target. Studies have shown that ornamental non-native plants are a significant pathway for introducing invasive species, with plant nurseries potentially contributing to a large percentage of introductions.
Proposed solutions include establishing a national database to inform stakeholders about plant risks, as well as removing invasive plants from sale or clearly labeling them. Experts like Jim Hole support efforts to prevent the spread of invasive plants, emphasizing the importance of research, regulation, and public education to control unwanted species.
Lorraine Johnson, a native plant advocate, highlighted the influence of nurseries in promoting non-native plants and their role in biodiversity loss. She emphasized the importance of educating consumers and gardeners about the impact of invasive plants on ecosystems.
Regulating garden centers can help combat “plant blindness” among gardeners, encouraging them to view plants as part of the interconnected living world rather than just decorative elements in gardens.