Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input. On behalf of the Ontario Invasive Plant Council and the Canadian Council on Invasive Species, we submit the following comments for your consideration:

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council and the Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS) is encouraged to see the many partners working on invasive species in the province and the leadership Ontario is showing on key invasive species issues in Canada including Phragmites australis and invasive wild pigs. We believe that fostering meaningful partnerships and collaboration is essential for effectively implementing the National 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework- Ontario's role is pivotal in Canada's pursuit of and attainment of these goals.

Recommendations to add include recognition of the following:

1. Established in April 2007, the Ontario Invasive Plant Council (OIPC) is a non-profit, multi-agency organization formed to address the rising challenge of invasive plants with a coordinated provincial approach. Since 2023, OIPC has functioned as an operational chapter under CCIS, benefiting from the full support of a national team of invasive species management experts. CCIS maintains a leadership team in Ontario, closely collaborating with OIPC.

Key milestones include:

1. Establishment and leadership of the Ontario Phragmites Working Group (OPWG), established in 2011, was established by professionals concerned about the growing threat of Phragmites australis to facilitate effective, efficient and environmentally responsible management across Ontario.” (see Page 6, Milestones, The Ontario Invasive Species Strategic Plan)
2. PlantWise program for gardeners, growers and retailers- OIPC led the development of the first PlantWise program to provide sound responsible alternatives plants to those in the horticulture trade. This program is now part of a national wide effort to work with industry, volunteers and Master Gardeners to reduce the introduction and spread of invasive species through horticulture
3. Effectively addressing invasive species and biodiversity loss demands engaging diverse stakeholders and embracing a cross-boundary strategy that involves different government levels and perspectives. Achieving this requires an "All Hands on Deck" approach, recognizing those actively managing invasive species within Ontario’s borders and recognizing what lies beyond provincial boundaries.
a. This requires collaboration across all government levels, including Indigenous
b. This requires partnership and collaboration across industry, governments and community

Key questions to address:

1. Vision- prevention and management
a. Local communities take a proactive approach to stopping the introduction and movement of invasive species. This could include reducing the sale and release of unwanted pets, planting with recognized invasive species and restoring urban green space from invasive species
b. Local community organizations across the province have adopted behaviour change campaigns to protect the local lands and waters from invasive species
c. Increased leadership by Indigenous leaders and organizations at the local to provincial level- from designing policy and then responding to invasive species
2. Opportunities for the future of invasive species prevention and management in Ontario
a. Increase investment in public awareness and behaviour change programs
b. Increase incentives to land owners and managers who proactively reduce the impacts of invasive species
c. Increased linkages between traditional knowledge and western science for management of invasive species
d. Increased documentation on the impacts of invasive species to traditional practices
e. Increased research at the provincial and national scale on the socio-economic impacts of invasive species to Ontario and Canada
f. Increase collaboration with the Canadian Council on Invasive Species on national initiatives
3. Barriers related to invasive species prevention and management in Ontario? How could these barriers be addressed
a. Recognizing that no single entity possesses all the necessary tools, a comprehensive approach involving the entirety of society is imperative. This entails collaborating with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in invasive species management, rather than relying solely on a single organization. This lack of collaboration will be a barrier to effective invasive species prevention and management. Increased collaboration and partnerships across all interested partners is vital
b. Limited funding to organizations working on invasive species
c. Limited recognition and partnership opportunities for dedicated organizations- provide more opportunity to multiple organizations to partner and deliver province-wide and local programs in Ontario

Also, please add the acronyms noted below:
Page 4, List of Acronyms:
“OIPC – Ontario Invasive Plant Council”
“OPWG – Ontario Phragmites Working Group”