A study revealed that numerous endangered species in Canada face delays in receiving protection decisions from the federal government, leading to potential habitat changes that threaten their survival. Out of 288 species evaluated as at risk since 2017, only 17 have been reviewed by the federal cabinet body, the Governor in Council, within the recommended timeframe. As of January 25, 2025, 153 species, including caribou, beluga whales, and lake sturgeon, were overdue for listing decisions that could trigger habitat safeguards and recovery plans.
The study points out a critical bottleneck in the Species at Risk Act (SARA), where the government lacks a statutory deadline for a crucial stage of the assessment process. This loophole allows governments to delay making tough decisions between conservation efforts and economic interests. Peter Thompson, the lead researcher of the study and a postdoctoral biology researcher at Simon Fraser University, emphasized that the government consistently fails to meet its self-imposed timelines of one to two years.
For instance, the Saskatchewan-Nelson River population of lake sturgeon, designated as endangered in 2017 by COSEWIC, missed federal deadlines for assessment progress in 2020 and was still awaiting further action five years later. The fragmentation of waterways due to dams and hydro projects poses a significant threat to these ancient-looking fish, hindering their movement and survival.
COSEWIC assessments do not automatically change a species’ legal status under SARA; federal listing or reclassification by the government is required. Once a species is listed as endangered or threatened, protections against harming or capturing it are triggered, along with the development of a recovery strategy that includes identifying critical habitat for protection under SARA.
Aquatic species, such as marine mammals and fish, faced notable delays in the study. While the government cited reasons like data collection and analysis for delays, indigenous consultations were also mentioned but should not be seen as hindrances. Indigenous communities often face challenges in balancing species protection with cultural significance.
The lack of transparency in explaining delays raises concerns about governmental accountability in conservation decisions. Environmental organizations and researchers advocate for a more efficient process to ensure timely species protections and conservation actions are implemented to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems.
