A group of five former chairs from a panel advising the federal government on endangered wildlife recently penned an open letter expressing worries about proposed amendments to the Species At Risk Act. They cautioned that the changes could potentially lead to the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. The legislation currently protects over 600 species, but the suggested modifications would undermine its effectiveness, as stated in a press release issued by the scientists.
The former chairs, who were part of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), sent the letter to the federal government last month. COSEWIC is an independent panel that evaluates species at risk of extinction and recommends them for listing under endangered species laws. Their decision to make the letter public aimed to raise awareness among Canadians to prevent complicity in the intentional extinction of Canadian wildlife.
The concerns raised in the letter coincide with the Carney government’s proposed extensive alterations to environmental regulations, including the Species At Risk Act. These changes are intended to expedite the approval and construction processes for major projects. Notably, the proposed modifications involve the elimination of “jeopardy tests,” which are crucial assessments that prevent projects from harming species listed under the act and their critical habitats.
David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and a biologist at McGill University, criticized the proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of jeopardy tests in safeguarding endangered species. The amendments would grant the government the authority to establish “federal economic zones” for pre-approving industrial development and fast-tracking projects deemed in the national interest, such as pipelines.
The scientists highlighted a specific concern regarding a new West Coast oil pipeline, which poses a significant threat to various species, including the southern resident killer whale and the Chinook salmon. The pipeline’s potential impact on critical habitats in the Salish Sea region could lead to severe consequences for these endangered species.
Expressing shock at the proposed changes, Green and other experts view the amendments as setting a concerning precedent for environmental protection laws. Despite the lack of a government response to the scientists’ letter, the Privy Council Office reaffirmed the government’s commitment to species conservation under the Species at Risk Act.
The government justifies the amendments by citing the need to boost the economy and diversify exports amid trade tensions with the U.S. While the government is yet to finalize its decision on the proposed changes, it plans to release a report gathering feedback from Canadians before summer concludes. The formal legislation is anticipated to be introduced after Parliament resumes in September, prompting calls for the government to reconsider the potential consequences of the proposed amendments.