Five former chairs of a committee advising the federal government on endangered wildlife have recently penned an open letter expressing worries about proposed modifications to the Species At Risk Act. They argue that these changes could potentially lead to the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. The legislation currently protects over 600 species, and the suggested alterations could render the act ineffective, as per a statement by the scientists.
The former chairs, who were part of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), forwarded the letter to the federal government last month. COSEWIC is an independent panel responsible for evaluating species at risk of extinction and recommending their inclusion in endangered species laws.
The scientists made the letter public to prevent Canadians from being complicit in the possible extinction of Canadian wildlife species, according to the press release. This development coincides with the government’s deliberation on broad environmental regulation changes, including the Species At Risk Act, aimed at expediting the approval and construction of major projects.
The proposed changes include allowing the approval of major projects without review and exempting certain projects from the critical “jeopardy test” mandated by the law, if they are deemed to be in the national interest. These changes have been criticized as overly aggressive by David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and biologist at McGill University, who emphasized the importance of jeopardy tests in safeguarding endangered species.
Furthermore, the proposed amendments would grant the government the authority to establish “federal economic zones” for pre-approving industrial development. This would enable the cabinet to approve pipelines before route determination and bypass federal impact assessments. Presently, Bill C-5 allows for expedited approval processes for projects deemed to be in the national interest.
The letter specifically mentions a new West Coast oil pipeline under consideration as a project of national significance. The pipeline, intending to transport one million barrels of crude oil daily over approximately 1,250 kilometers, could adversely impact several species listed under the act, including the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon, vital to the whale’s diet.
Notably, the proposed pipeline’s route passes through the Salish Sea, a crucial habitat for both species. The scientists warned that the pipeline could endanger the killer whale population directly through increased tanker traffic noise and indirectly by destroying habitats necessary for the whales’ prey.
The scientists stressed the importance of preserving the unique population of killer whales and questioned whether Canadians are willing to risk the species for the sake of another oil pipeline project. The article mentions that there are currently only 75 southern resident killer whales in existence.
Expressing shock at the proposed changes, Green criticized the Liberal government for potentially undermining the Species At Risk Act, which was a significant accomplishment for the party years ago. The government’s actions, including Bill C-5 and other proposed alterations, have raised concerns among experts like Kathryn Harrison, a UBC professor specializing in climate and energy politics, who highlighted the unprecedented nature of the government’s moves.
The government has yet to respond to the scientists’ letter. While affirming commitment to species conservation and recovery under the Species at Risk Act, the government cited the need to expedite projects to bolster the economy and reduce dependence on the U.S. market amid ongoing trade tensions.
The Privy Council Office stated that no decision has been made regarding the proposed changes to the Species At Risk Act and mentioned plans to release a report reflecting feedback from Canadians before summer’s end. Following extended public engagement due to criticism from various groups, formal legislation is expected post-Parliament’s resumption in September. Green urged the government to reconsider its stance, emphasizing the irreversible nature of species loss in Canada.