Non-native invasive species threaten the Prairies by aggressively outcompeting native plants and animals, thus reducing biodiversity and damaging soil health. 

Non-native and invasive animals in Saskatchewan – such as wild boars, common carp and Prussian carp – severely threaten local wildlife by destroying fragile habitats and spreading dangerous diseases. Saskatchewan needs stronger legislation in place to prevent future non-native species incursions and to combat those already here.

Wild Boar: These escaped farm animals, which grow to massive size, dig up ground, destroy fences, eat ground-nesting birds, and carry diseases like African swine fever, should never have been allowed into our country. They reproduce quickly and alter natural landscapes beyond repair. There are no pig species native to Canada, but we now have many here in Saskatchewan. Wild boar were imported into Canada in the 1980s and 1990s to be raised on farms, but they escaped into the wild and have adapted to forested, wetland, and riverbank habitats, now negatively impacting nesting birds and other wildlife species. I remember when this happened; I worried about future problems (which we now have).

Wild boar survive Saskatchewan winters by making “pigloos” in the snow to stay warm during the winter season. These pigloos are made by mounding cattails and burrowing deep into the snow caught by the cattails, creating tunnels within, also using the snow as insulation. There have not yet been any confirmed wild boar sightings in Saskatoon, but there have been many in the surrounding area; we know they can readily adapt to urban environments.

Wild Boar are reproducing quickly and expanding their range extensively. Their combination of wild and domestic traits — including their high tolerance for cold and ability to birth large litters — may have bred “super pigs”. “The growing wild pig population is not an ecological disaster waiting to happen”, Ryan Brook, the University of Saskatchewan’s lead researcher for the Canadian Wild Pig Project, told USask News, “it is already happening.” 

Common Carp & Prussian Carp: These are aggressive fish, found in southern waters like the Qu'Appelle River Valley, that muddy the water, destroy aquatic plants, and starve out native fish.

Zebra & Quagga Mussels: Active prevention programs aim to keep these out of local lakes. These mussels are highly feared water threats that clog pipes and consume essential food supplies.

Not all non-native species threats are animals and fish: 

Leafy Spurge is a bright yellow weed with deep roots that spreads fast, chokes out native flowers, and lowers grazing value for animals.

Smooth Brome Grass and Spotted Wheat Grass are non-native grasses, originally brought in for forage, that now form thick mats and crowd out rare native prairie plant species.

Spotted Knapweed is a tough weed that releases chemicals to stop other plants from growing nearby, ruining native grasslands. 

Common Tansy is a tall plant, featuring button-like yellow flowers and fern-like leaves, that is toxic to cattle.

Canada Thistle, one we are all familiar with, is an aggressive spiny weed with purple or white flowers spreading rapidly across fields and roadsides.

Absinthe & Baby's Breath: These are weeds frequently found invading native grasslands and municipal areas.

Flowering Rush: A tall aquatic plant with pink flowers choking out native shorelines and shallow water bodies.

Purple Loosestrife: This is a wetland plant with striking purple-magenta spikes that destroys natural waterfowl habitats.

European Common Reed (Phragmites): an aggressive grass taking over wetlands and reducing biodiversity by stealing water and nutrients.

Non-native plants, birds, animals, bugs and aquatic creatures can all play a part in the decline of native and beneficial species in a given area. Invasive species are actually the second most significant threat to biodiversity. 

As always, knowledge is a vital weapon in fighting such problems. I have been amazed lately at some otherwise very well-intentioned people who were unaware of the problems non-native species cause here on the prairies. 

We must have a government that prioritizes scientific evidence and stands committed to protecting our natural biodiversity. Implementing legislation to safeguard our native species from danger needs to be a primary focus. Once elected, the Saskatchewan Green Party will work tirelessly to reinforce these critical biodiversity protections.

Yours sincerely,

Naomi Hunter,
Leader, Saskatchewan Green Party