Despite Barnet having much of the early possession it was Canvey who threatened first. Richard Graham made an uncharacteristic mistake on 25 minutes which was pounced upon by Junior McDougald.
Nobody could stop his run and the former Dagenham & Redbridge striker was unlucky to see his 18-yard shot drift just wide.
Soon after Jeff Minton and McDougald combined wonderfully down the Canvey right and it needed a well-timed Ismail Yakubu tackle to prevent what would have been a beautifully crafted goal.
Canvey stepped out to the second half with a new sense of adventure, but they were soon punished.
Barnet's new found freedom allowed them the space they so craved in the first half and they were in no mood to waste it.
After 58 minutes Dean Sinclair lofted the ball deep into the area but nobody could add the decisive touch.
Graham learned from Sinclair's mistake, placing his cross directly on to the head of Strevens, who couldn't fail to find the target for the third time in as many games.
Substitute Lee Roach should have sealed the win late on, but it didn't matter.
A win away at Norwich Victoria next weekend will rubber stamp what has been inevitable for a long time and the Bees will once again be a Football League club.