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.
