Five former chairs of a committee advising the federal government on endangered species have penned an open letter expressing worries about proposed alterations to the Species At Risk Act. They claim these changes could result in the deliberate extinction of endangered animals in Canada. Over 600 species are currently protected under this legislation. The potential modifications being explored by the government might render the act ineffective, as stated in a recent press release by the scientists.
The letter was addressed to the federal government last month by these scientists, who are former chairs of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). COSEWIC is an autonomous advisory group that evaluates species at risk of extinction and recommends their inclusion under the endangered species law.
The scientists decided to make the letter public to prevent Canadians from being complicit in the deliberate extinction of Canadian wildlife species. This development coincides with the Carney government’s contemplation of extensive revisions to environmental regulations, including the Species At Risk Act, aiming to expedite approval and construction of major projects.
In May, two federal discussion papers proposed the pre-approval of major projects before review and exempting certain projects from the “jeopardy test” mandated by the law if they serve the national interest. According to David Green, a biologist and professor emeritus at McGill University and one of the former COSEWIC chairs involved in the letter, these changes are excessive and unnecessary.
The jeopardy tests act as a final safeguard preventing Ottawa from authorizing projects that could harm species listed under the act and their crucial habitats, thus jeopardizing their survival. These tests are crucial for the protection of endangered species, emphasized Green. The proposed amendments would grant Carney and the cabinet the authority to establish “federal economic zones” where industrial development could be pre-approved. Additionally, the cabinet could pre-approve pipelines before determining a route and exempt them from federal impact assessments.
The letter specifically references a new West Coast oil pipeline currently under consideration as a project of national interest. This pipeline, as proposed by the Alberta government, would transport around one million barrels of crude oil daily over approximately 1,250 kilometers, following a corridor similar to the existing Trans Mountain pipeline. This project could harm multiple species listed under the act, including the southern resident killer whale and the Chinook salmon, which are the primary food source for the whales, and are under consideration for listing.
The southern resident killer whales and their critical habitats are found in the Salish Sea, where the proposed West Coast pipeline would terminate. The scientists warn that this pipeline could lead to the decimation of the endangered killer whale population through increased tanker traffic noise and habitat destruction.
The Liberal government’s proposal to amend the legislation surprises Green, who highlights the historic importance of the Species At Risk Act. Kathryn Harrison, a UBC professor specializing in climate and energy politics, views the potential changes as setting an exceptional precedent by granting the government significant authority to waive laws and introduce new regulations.
As of the publication of this article, the scientists had not received a response from the government regarding their letter. The government, through the Privy Council Office, affirmed its commitment to species conservation and recovery under the Species at Risk Act. They justified the potential changes as necessary for economic growth and diversification of exports amid the ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.
The government has not made a decision on the proposed changes to the Species At Risk Act. They plan to release a report summarizing feedback from Canadians before the end of summer. Following criticism from First Nations and environmental groups, the public engagement period was extended. Formal legislation is anticipated after Parliament reconvenes in September, with Green urging the government to reconsider, emphasizing the irreversible consequences of species elimination.
