[All] Phragmites australis and call for Ontario ban

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks
Phragmites australis is the invasive plant taking over wetlands in Waterloo Region and other areas in Ontario right now. It is currently being sold in stores as an ornamental plant but I'm calling for a provincial ban. The MOE has responded below and confirmed the fact that it is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry taking the lead on this particular issue so if we want to support new legislation to ban sales, that is the ministry we should appeal to.
I'd like GREN to create a letter asking the Region of Waterloo to pass a motion to send a letter to the MNRF calling for a ban on the sale of this plant to protect our area wetlands and to show public support for the concept. 

Lulu :0)

    ----- Forwarded Message -----
  From: "Kolitsopoulos, Helen (MOECC)" <Helen.Kolitsopoulos at ontario.ca>
 To: "butterflybluelu at rogers.com" <butterflybluelu at rogers.com> 
Cc: "O'Brien, Stevie (MNRF)" <Stevie.OBrien at ontario.ca>; "Mauro, Bill (MNRF)" <Bill.Mauro at ontario.ca>; "cfife-co at ndp.on.ca" <cfife-co at ndp.on.ca> 
 Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2015 4:21 PM
 Subject: ministers letter ENV1283MC-2015-1401
   
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| Ministry of the Environment
and Climate Change  | Ministère de l'Environnement et de l’Action en matière de changement climatique  |      |
| Standards Development Branch  | Direction de lélaboration des normes  |
| 40 St. Clair Ave. West 7th Floor Toronto ON  M4V 1M2  | 40, avenue St. Clair ouest 7e étage Toronto ON  M4V 1M2  |
| www.ene.gov.on.ca  | www.ene.gov.on.ca  |
| Tel.:          416 327-5519
Fax:          416 327-2936  | Tél.:          416 327-5519
Téléc.:       416 327-2936  |

                                    SENT ON BEHALF OF STEVE KLOSE, DIRECTOR    June 25, 2015    ENV1283MC-2015-1401    Louisette Lanteigne 700 Star Flower Avenue Waterloo, ON N2V 2L2 butterflybluelu at rogers.com    Dear Ms. Lanteigne:    Thank you for your email of May 22, 2015 regarding the sale of Phragmites australis in retail stores here in Ontario.    I want to assure you that our government shares your concerns regarding the threat that Phragmites poses to our natural resources and biodiversity, and to the economy of Ontario.      I appreciate you making me aware of your concerns.  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is the provincial lead on invasive species.  Accordingly, your letter will be forwarded to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.    Again, thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.    Sincerely,             Steve Klose Director    c:         MPP Catherine Fife – Kitchener-Waterloo             Honorable Bill Mauro, Minister, MNRF             

  
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