Efforts are being made in Canadian cities to prevent the sale of invasive plants in local garden centers, as advocates urge the Canadian government to establish a national strategy for regulating the horticultural industry.
Given the threat of invasive plants to biodiversity nationwide, municipalities are taking steps to address gaps in the current regulatory framework that varies among different jurisdictions. Canada has committed to reducing the introduction and establishment of known invasive species by at least 50 percent by 2030.
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) is advocating for the establishment of a federal regulatory body for the horticultural sector and the development of a national database that identifies invasive plants and their associated risks in various regions.
Cathy Kavassalis, co-founder of CCIPR, emphasized the importance of informing the public about potential harm even if a complete prohibition is not implemented. She highlighted the need for similar practices in the horticultural industry as seen in other product sectors.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency oversees some invasive plants under the Plant Protection Act, while individual provinces and territories have their own legislation for managing invasive species or weeds.
The CFIA stated that their regulatory approach focuses on specific species and risks rather than blanket prohibitions covering all potentially invasive plants in all regions. They can restrict the import, sale, possession, and movement of plants identified as regulated pests, including those sold for ornamental purposes.
The CFIA emphasized that while regulatory measures are part of the solution, managing invasive plants is a joint responsibility involving federal and provincial governments, municipalities, industry stakeholders, and invasive plant organizations.
Recent actions by municipal governments 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 sales of invasive plants by certain businesses. In London, the environmental committee recommended that retailers selling invasive plants provide information to customers at the point of sale.
Kavassalis expressed concern that addressing this issue is being left to municipalities rather than being handled at higher government levels, resulting in fragmented solutions that may not effectively address the problem.
Kirsty MacDonald, Nanaimo’s parks manager, highlighted the impact of invasive plants on the local landscape, some of which pose risks to human health. While many local plant suppliers are aware of the issue, invasive species can still find their way into plant mixes or popular varieties like English ivy.
She suggested that banning the sale of new introductions of invasive plants, especially for backyard use, is one approach among several needed to make progress in combating invasive species.
Advocates are urging the federal government to take action to meet the 2030 target by addressing issues within the horticultural trade. Studies have shown that the sale of ornamental non-native plants is a primary pathway for introducing invasive species, a problem that also exists in Canada.
The CCIPR proposed the creation of a national database to provide shared information on invasive plants’ risks across different regions, along with the removal of invasive plants from shelves or clear labeling to inform consumers.
Jim Hole, a horticulture and agriculture expert, noted that most garden centers would support efforts to prevent the spread of invasive plants, as illustrated by actions such as discontinuing the sale of purple loosestrife when it was identified as invasive to wetlands.
He emphasized that removing a particular species is unlikely to significantly impact a business’s profitability, given the wide variety of plants available. Stronger research, regulations, and public education were cited as key elements that could help greenhouse owners and farmers in controlling unwanted plants.
Lorraine Johnson, a native plant advocate, highlighted the significant influence nurseries have on consumer plant choices and emphasized the industry’s role in contributing to biodiversity loss by promoting non-native plants that do not support local ecosystems and pollinators.
Kavassalis stressed that regulating garden centers can help raise awareness among gardeners and combat “plant blindness,” encouraging the public to view their garden plants as part of the broader natural environment.
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