Canada Wild Rye is tolerant of heavy metals and can revegetate mine tailing areas, and stabilize soils. It is a short lived, early succession, matrix species that conditions the soil, then makes way for the next species to move in. The grass leaves are used as nesting material, and the seeds are eaten by granivorous birds and small mammals.

Canada Wild Rye is very accommodating, being well behaved and growing in a range of conditions. Being a cool season grass it grows in the spring and fall when the soil temperatures are cool. The cut dried seed stalks make a nice addition to dried flower arrangements.