I commend the initiative to…

I commend the initiative to list Flowering Rush by Regulation under the Invasive Species Act – this is long overdue but does not go far enough to address the threats posed by this aggressive invader.

• The proposed listing of Flowering Rush as Restricted is severely inadequate.

• Restriction with additional conditions / prohibitions as provided for under Section 8 (2,3) of the Act is also inadequate given the significant and increasing impacts we are experiencing from aggressive invasion and expansion of Flowering rush in northwestern Ontario.

• Bottom-line: Flowering Rush must be listed as a Prohibited species.

Flowering rush is a rapidly spreading threat and scourge in Northwestern Ontario. The Winnipeg River is extensively infested, particularly between the Hamlet of Minaki downstream through connected Little Sand Lake, Big Sand Lake, and Roughrock Lake. The occurrence is primarily downstream of the boat launch access points in Minaki, suggesting introduction from contaminated boats and trailers – the strongest regulations are needed to support prohibition and prevention on further introductions.

In the past two years, Flowering rush is now invading binational Lake of the Woods and was identified by the International Joint Commission as a plant of extreme risk to the bi-national Lake of the Woods watershed in a 2021 AIS risk assessment. This is not just an issue localized to a stretch of the Winnipeg River; it is a significant threat to the economy of the entire region of northwestern Ontario. With significant regulatory and inspection measures for invasive species being undertaken by Minnesota in our binational watershed, it will be embarrassing of Ontario does not take similar, and the strongest steps, to address invasions.

I have been a seasonal resident on the Winnipeg River all my 59 years and worked as a fishing guide since the early 1980s. In the past couple of decades, we have experienced several aquatic invasive species invasions including spiny water flea, rusty crayfish, purple loosestrife etc. but non of these holds a candle to the severe impacts that flowering rush is having on the Winnipeg River.

Flowering rush has (and is increasingly) completely dominating shallow shorelines, bays, beaches and riverine wetlands with dense monocultures of this scourge (see attached image), choaking out native aquatic plants and reducing biodiversity. Traditional wild rice stands are being lost – many wild rice stands have already been eliminated and these are of cultural and economic importance to Indigenous peoples locally. The wild rice loss and conversion of wetlands to monocultures of flowering rush may have a lot to do with impacts on migratory birds – for example, fall ducks just don’t use the river anymore.

There is significant alteration and destruction of littoral fish habitat including traditional spawning sites for walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie. This is of grave concern on the Winnipeg River, which has provincially significant fisheries of huge socio-economic importance both locally and as a significant destination for resident and non-resident fishers and tourists. I can tell you from my experience as a fishing guide, that the infestation of flowering rush is impacting fishing success and causing significant concern among patrons of the fishery here.

Finally, the filling in of shorelines and bays with flowering rush is causing significant problems for lakefront property owners. It is interfering with access to docks, properties and is interfering with aquatic recreation. My guess is that infested shorelines will begin to have significant impacts on decreased property values and taxations assessments for lakefront properties impacted.

I urge the Minister to take the threat of Flowering rush as a matter of high concern and to list Flowering Rush as a Prohibited species.