Preserving Endangered Species in Canada

Canada is strongly committed to protecting its natural and historical heritage. To do this, the country has established a national network of parks and natural sites. These areas are then protected by a specific law, and managed by competent authorities.

The Endangered Species Conservation Act in Canada

Context

The Species at Risk Act (SARA), promulgated on June 5, 2003, is part of one of the three components of the Canadian government's strategy for the protection of endangered wildlife species. SARA builds on commitments under the Accord for the Protection of Endangered Species and activities under the Endangered Species Habitat Stewardship Program.

SARA also complements existing laws and agreements to provide for the legal protection of wild species and the conservation of biodiversity. It also recognizes that protecting wildlife is a shared responsibility and that all citizens have a role to play. SARA then applies to the entire Canadian territory, to all wild species listed on the endangered species list and to their natural habitat.

Objective

The purpose of SARA is to prevent the extinction of native species, subspecies and distinct populations in Canada. It also aims to plan for the recovery of threatened species, and to promote the management of other species to prevent them from becoming endangered species.

Canada’s Endangered Species Conservation Act Funding Programs

The Habitat Stewardship Program (HIP) for endangered species is an initiative aimed at raising awareness among Canadians for the protection of species and their habitats. The PIH is administered by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and managed jointly by the Parks Canada Agency and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

As for the Indigenous Fund for Endangered Species (FAEP), it aims to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous people to actively participate in the application of SARA. The FAEP then promotes indigenous engagement in the conservation and restoration of the habitat of endangered species.

Authorities responsible for the Endangered Species Conservation Act in Canada

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change

The Department of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for the overall coordination of the federal endangered species strategy. This includes, among other things, the implementation of federal activities, under the Accord, for the protection of endangered species in Canada, the administration of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk and the Fund interministerial approach to recovery.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change is also responsible for the protection and recovery of migratory birds and species at risk on federal lands other than those under the responsibility of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans or the Agency Parks Canada. It is agreed under the Accord that provinces and territories will implement measures and enforce prohibitions with the objective of conserving species at risk within their jurisdiction.

Finally, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is responsible for establishing and supporting recovery teams. These come from various jurisdictions and the coordination of the development of recovery programs for species that require the participation of more than one jurisdiction. The ministry will in particular attempt to conclude agreements with the provinces and territories so that they can establish recovery programs for species for which management responsibilities fall to them.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for the protection and recovery of endangered aquatic species under federal jurisdiction, other than species under the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Climate Change and those under from the Parks Canada Agency.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is also responsible for implementing the conservation and protection measures necessary under SARA for aquatic species listed on the legal protection list. Aquatic species to be protected include fish and marine plant species defined as such under the federal Fisheries Act and those that have been assessed using COSEWIC classification criteria.

The Parks Canada agency

The Parks Canada Agency is responsible for implementing recovery strategies for species found in Canada. These programs particularly concern national parks, national historic sites and other federally protected heritage areas under the authority of the department.

The Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council

The Canadian Council for the Conservation of Endangered Species (CCCEP) brings together the Department of Environment and Climate Change, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the provincial and territorial government departments that are responsible for conservation and wildlife management in their respective province or territory.

The role of the CCCEP is:

• To provide general guidance on COSEWIC activities;
• To coordinate the activities of the various governments represented on the CCCEP on the protection of species at risk;
• To seek and consider advice and recommendations from the National Aboriginal Species at Risk Council.

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) plays an advisory role to the government regarding the status of wildlife species. COSEWIC was established as a legal entity under SARA. It is comprised of knowledgeable wildlife experts from federal, provincial and territorial governments, wildlife management boards, Aboriginal groups, universities, museums, national non-governmental organizations and other entities with knowledge of wildlife conservation in Canada. COSEWIC members are appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change after consultation with the CCCEP and appropriate experts.

COSEWIC operates through an open and transparent process. It maintains impartial scientific and expert judgment in its assessments of wildlife species.

The main function of COSEWIC is to assess and classify the status of wildlife species. To achieve this, it will use the best available information on the biological situation of a species, including scientific knowledge, community knowledge and indigenous traditional knowledge.

National Indigenous Council on Species at Risk

The National Indigenous Council on Endangered Species (NACEP) is an advisory body made up of six representatives of Canada's Indigenous peoples. They are specifically chosen by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, on the recommendation of indigenous organizations that the ministry deems appropriate.

CANEP's role is limited to providing advice to the ministry on the application of SARA, and to providing advice and recommendations to the CCCEP, under sections 8.1 of SARA.