Okanagan MPs want more done to combat invasive species

Photo: File photo

Okanagan Conservative MPs are pressuring the federal Liberals to do more in the fight against invasive aquatic species.

North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold, shadow minister for Fisheries and Oceans, Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas, and Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray released a joint statement Friday, slamming inaction by Ottawa.

The MPs are calling on the government to increase federal resources for invasive species prevention in the province.

“For over four years, the Trudeau government has failed to equitably distribute federal resources for invasive species prevention across Canada. The vast majority of federal resources allotted for preventing or eradicating aquatic invasive species, including zebra and quagga mussels, do not make it past the Great Lakes giving Western Canada, including British Columbia, little access to federal supports,” the letter said.

“The Trudeau government continues to ignore the major ecologic and economic threats that AIS pose to British Columbia’s waters and economy. COVID-19 travel restrictions are increasing these threats as our region sees more visitors and boats from across Canada coming to the Okanagan.”

The MPs also sent a letter to Minister of Public Safety Bill Blair about the so-called ‘Alaska Loophole’ that allows U.S. citizens to transit through Canada to Alaska.

The MPs asked that the Canada Border Services Agency ensure all watercraft and related equipment be inspected and treated at the border as if they will be used in Canadian waters before they are granted entry.

“British Columbia’s waters are one of our greatest natural resources and we will continue to press the Trudeau government for an equitable share of federal resources for AIS prevention and also call for timely and effective actions to protect and conserve our waters for the sake of the wildlife, people and communities that depend on them.”