An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada (IAS)

The Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada (IAS) 2004 aims to establish a coordinated policy and management framework (see Appendix 1) that minimizes the risk of invasive alien species to the economy, environment, and society. The scope of the Strategy includes aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems, native biodiversity and domestic plants and animals. The Strategy proposes to respond to the invasive alien species challenge through a hierarchical approach that prioritizes: 1) prevention of new invasions; 2) early detection of new invaders; 3) rapid response to new invaders; and 4) management of established and spreading invaders (containment, eradication, and control).
The Strategy seeks to establish a framework to address invasive alien species by meeting four strategic challenges, including: 1) Integrating environmental considerations into decisionmaking with economic and social factors; 2) Enhancing co-ordination and co-operation to respond more rapidly to new invasions and pathways of invasion; 3) Strengthening programs to protect natural resources under pressure from increase; 4) Maximizing collaboration between adhoc and regional/issue specific efforts to ensure the limited resources are used on d global trade and travel; and highest priority issues.