That Council direct Staff to bring forward a report to a future Governance and Priorities Committee Meeting on options to prohibit the sale and spread of invasive species in the City of Nanaimo and options for the recovery of the cost of abatement of such invasive species.
There we go. Thank you. As the motion is that council directs staff to bring forward a report to a future. Governance and priorities committee meeting on options to prohibit the sale and spread of invasive species in the city of Nanaimo and options for the recovery. Of the cost of abatement of such invasive species. And if seconded, I can speak. To it. Secretary. Councilor Himmonds, discussion, please. Thank you. In our parks, many invasive species that are taking over, and we have volunteers who spend thousands of hours every year. We heard from Joanne from Broombusters earlier tonight, and. I have to imagine that if we had a time machine, she would like us to go back. And ban the sale of scotch broom. And so we're seeing sort of the same thing. Playing out with species like english ivy. And Daphne are spurge Laurel. And so, for example, if you go into collary dam park, you'll see the trees. Being choked by ivy and the forest floor covered in Daphne. And so those are both items that are currently for sale in garden centers. And so I am specifically looking at a bylaw which exists in squamish to this effect. And so there is sort of a model that we could base it off of, but. Really? I'm looking for a staff report so we can have a more thorough discussion about. The options and how we might sort of get ahead of this problem by being proactive when it comes to invasive species. Thank you very
much, Councilor Kesselbrook. Thanks. I'm very supportive of this. I think we even have staff at the regional district that's focused on invasive species removal. There's an incredible amount of volunteer time, as councilor Eastmere said, put towards this. A lot of times it's species that there's a replacement one that just isn't. Invasive, and it's just completely unnecessary to have. These plants sold, and I think people knew what they were, they wouldn't buy them anyhow. But I think it's an easy fix, and there's models already done, so. I'm very supportive to get moving on this and appreciate
very happy to support the motion. I'd be a lot happier if the rudincial government would step in and bring in appropriate legislation respect to the entire province. Broom. Ain't just a problem in Nanaimo, as everyone has noticed, and Daphne and the other invasive species. That councilor Esmere recognized.
Having said that, Councilor Thorpe, please. Thanks. Your worship, I'm sorry. I don't think I can support this. I recognize the problem. With. Broom, of course, is the common culprit, but we seem to be targeting here nursery sales. To private individuals for their home gardens, and I don't think that's the source. Of the problem. So I hesitate to limit people's personal choice if they choose to plant Daphne or even english ivy in their garden, then good for them. So I don't think it addresses the main problem. Of the wilderness aspect of invasive species, which, as you, I believe you said, is more of a provincial mandate. So because I think this is targeting the wrong people. I don't think I am prepared. To support it. Thank
you. Thank you very much, Councilor Prino. Thank you, your worship. And a question through you. This is to bring a report to a future governance and priorities committee. Me. Right. So there's. Nothing that is saying this is what we have to do immediately, which is why I would be voting in favor because the discussion needs to be at that committee level, whether or not. Are we talking about nurseries? Are we talking about our public parks? Where is it best to look at this? Where isn't it? So we need more answers. Before we do anything. So for that reason alone, I'll support it. Thank you. Very