“I am presenting a petition from residents around Lake Simcoe about an invasive plant called water soldier. It is spreading and harming people, animals, and local plants. The petitioners want the government to officially label it an invasive species, fund cleanup efforts, and name one federal contact to handle it.”

“Mr. Speaker, in our first week back, I am privileged to rise again and present a petition on behalf of residents in the town of Georgina and in Brock township on Lake Simcoe about an invasive species known as water soldier. It was discovered in 2024 in Cook’s Bay and has continued to spread across Lake Simcoe. It is a threat to human health and to animal health in the lake, as well as to native aquatic plant species in the lake. The petitioners are calling on the government to designate sufficient resources toward remediation and to identify water soldier as an invasive species. Last, they are calling on the federal government to nominate a single party to represent the federal government on this issue.”