ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PROPOSES TO ADD 43 SPECIES TO THE SPECIES AT RISK ACT

16/05/2005 — The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, in consultation with the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced his proposed recommendation to add 43 new terrestrial and aquatic species to the list of species protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
“The Government of Canada is committed to conserving Canada’s wildlife and biodiversity,” said Environment Minister Stéphane Dion. “Protecting our natural heritage will help lead to a healthier environment. A healthier environment translates into healthier citizens and benefits our long-term economic well-being.”
The recommendation to add new species to SARA is based on scientific assessments by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and on consultations with governments, landowners, conservationists, Aboriginal peoples, stakeholders and the Canadian public.
Of the 51 species assessed COSEWIC at their meetings in November 2003 and May 2004, 44 species (animals, birds, aquatic species, reptiles and plants) were received by the Governor in Council in October 2004, thus starting the nine month listing process. The remaining seven species, all aquatics, are currently undergoing an extended period of consultation to better understand the potential impacts of listing these species.
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the protection of species at risk and consequently, recovery strategies and action plans are developed for species listed as threatened or endangered, while management plans are prepared for species of special concern. Examples of species proposed to be listed in which recovery strategies would be implemented are the Small-Mouthed Salamander, the Loggerhead Shrike (excubitorides subspecies), and the Spotted Turtle.
The Minister of the Environment is recommending that the Plains Bison not be added to SARA at this time because of the inability to genetically distinguish wild and domestic Plains Bison and the potential economic implications for the Canadian Bison industry. In the meantime, the Government of Canada is working with provincial governments, the bison industry and other stakeholders to develop an approach for the recovery of wild Plains Bison. Going forward, further consultations will be undertaken and a number of issues will be addressed in advance of the possible listing of the Plains Bison.
“The decision to propose that the Plains Bison not be added to SARA was taken after serious consideration and the evaluation of information received from COSEWIC, consultations with the affected provincial governments, the bison industry and others,” said Minister Stéphane Dion. “However, Canada will continue to be a leader in the recovery and conservation of the Plains Bison. For instance, Elk Island National Park has recently shipped 50 Plains Bison to Old Man on His Back Heritage and Conservation Area in southern Saskatchewan. In addition, after a century of absence,Plains Bison will be re-introduced to Grassland National Park this fall to help conserve this species and to restore the natural biodiversity in this ecosystem.”
“We are recommending that seven aquatic species, be listed under SARA,” said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan. “In many cases, we are already collaborating with stakeholders to conserve these species and will continue these important efforts.”
Minister Dion’s proposals to amend the list of protected species was published in the Canada Gazette, Part 1, on Saturday, May 14, 2005. Canadians will have 30 days to provide further comments or concerns. A final decision on adding this set of species to SARA will be made by Cabinet in July 2005.
To date, 306 species are protected under SARA and are subject to recovery plans and management strategies. These plans and strategies are prepared in cooperation with affected provinces, territories, Aboriginal organizations, landowners and other affected parties.
The implementation of the Species at Risk Act reinforces the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure the protection for species at risk. Under the Act, stewardship is the first response to habitat protection. Hundreds of stewardship projects are underway across Canada, many of them funded by the Habitat Stewardship Program. The Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk endorsed by provinces and territories is also part of the comprehensive strategy to protect species at risk.
More information regarding the Species at Risk Act is available on the SARA Public Registry on the Internet at: www.sararegistry.gc.ca.
Information on the Habitat Stewardship Program for species at risk, and on Canada’s Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk, can be found on the Internet at: www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca.