FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 15, 2015
QUEEN’S PARK – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett rose again in the Legislature to speak on the province’s Invasive Species Act.
Barrett favours the spirit of the legislation, but spoke yesterday of his concerns and how the legislation could be improved. He questions the act allowing entry without a warrant.
“I have never favoured warrantless entry in any of the pieces of environmental legislation that this government has brought forward over the last dozen years,” Barrett said in the Legislature.
He is also concerned landowners could be held liable for having invasive species on their property, even if the species spread without human assistance.
“The emphasis here is going to put the weight on the shoulders of landowners,” Barrett said. “Where are the tools? Where are the techniques for landowners to better deal with these kinds of issues?”
He emphasized the importance of prevention, promotion and education in regards to invasive species.
Barrett’s remarks highlighted some of the big issues in invasive species, including Asian carp as well as phragmites — a tall invasive reed that is taking over ditches, wetlands and waterways. In regard to the latter, Barrett talked about the important role Norfolk resident Janice Gilbert, founder of the Phragmites Working Group, is playing.
Jeff Yurek, Opposition Critic to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, will be hosting Gilbert and other researchers in the Queen’s Park media studio in May to promote the group’s six-point plan to deal with phragmites.
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For more information contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org