Five ex-chairs of a committee advising the government on endangered species have penned an open letter raising alarm about proposed amendments to the Species At Risk Act in Canada. The changes could potentially lead to the deliberate extinction of endangered species, as per the scientists’ concerns. The legislation currently safeguards over 600 species, but the suggested alterations might render the act ineffective, jeopardizing the protection it offers, according to a recent press release by the scientists.
Former heads of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) sent the letter to the government last month. COSEWIC is an independent panel that evaluates species at risk and recommends their inclusion in endangered species legislation. The scientists decided to make the letter public to prevent Canadians from being complicit in the deliberate extinction of Canadian wildlife.
The letter raises concerns as the government evaluates broad environmental regulation changes, including the Species At Risk Act, aiming to expedite the approval and construction of major projects. Two federal discussion papers in May proposed green-lighting significant projects before review and exempting specific projects from the required “jeopardy test” if deemed in the national interest.
David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and biologist at McGill University, criticized the proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of jeopardy tests in protecting endangered species. These tests prevent projects that could harm species and their habitats from being authorized if they jeopardize survival, serving as crucial safeguards for endangered wildlife.
The suggested modifications would empower the government to establish “federal economic zones” for pre-approving industrial development and pipelines. These changes could fast-track projects deemed in the national interest, potentially bypassing environmental assessments. The scientists highlighted a new West Coast oil pipeline project under consideration, warning of its detrimental impact on several species, including the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon.
The proposed pipeline’s route through critical habitats could have severe consequences for the imperiled killer whales and their food sources, endangering the unique population. The scientists questioned the willingness of Canadians to risk the survival of these species for another oil pipeline project.
Expressing shock at the Liberal government’s proposals, Green criticized the potential changes to the Species At Risk Act, considering the legislation’s significance when initially enacted. Experts, including UBC professor Kathryn Harrison, raised concerns about setting a precedent through Bill C-5 and related amendments, granting the government unprecedented authority over environmental laws.
The scientists are awaiting a response from the government following the publication of their letter. The government, in an emailed statement, affirmed its commitment to species conservation and compliance with the Species At Risk Act. The government’s rationale for the amendments includes the need to expedite projects to boost the economy and reduce dependence on U.S. trade amid ongoing tensions. Despite the extended public engagement period and pending legislation expected post-September, Green urged the government to reconsider, highlighting the irreversible consequences of species loss in Canada.
