Ontario’s Invasive Species Act received Royal Assent today, having completed its passage through the Legislature on October 21, 2015.

The Act is intended to support the prevention, early detection, rapid response and eradication of invasive species, such as giant hogweed and northern snakehead. It will also

• Allow the province to ban the possession and transportation of certain invasive species
• Enable earlier intervention and rapid response to keep invasive species from spreading, for example by preventing the movement of contaminated firewood
• Help ensure compliance through modernized inspection and enforcement measures.

” Ontario is proud to be the first and only jurisdiction in Canada to enact standalone invasive species legislation,” said Bill Mauro, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “Invasive species pose a significant risk to our natural environment and our economy. This new act is a critical tool in our collective fight against the growing threats of invasive species in Ontario.”

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Manning Environmental Law is a Canadian law firm based in Toronto, Ontario. Our practice is focussed on environmental law, energy law and aboriginal law. 

Paul Manning is a certified specialist in environmental law. He has been named as one of Canada’s leading Environmental Lawyers by Who’s Who Legal: Canada and ranked by Lexpert as one of Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers.

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