Study finds over half of at-risk species in Canada await federal listing decisions
What happened
A new study found that of 288 species assessed as at risk since 2017, only 17 reached the Governor in Council, the federal cabinet body that makes final listing decisions, within the recommended timeline. As of January 25, 2025, 153 species were overdue and still awaiting a decision. The study attributes the bottleneck to a gap in the Species at Risk Act, which lacks a statutory deadline for a crucial stage of the process.
From cbc.ca
Why it matters
The delays in listing decisions prevent the triggering of habitat protections and recovery plans for endangered or threatened populations. Critics note that this legislative gap allows governments to postpone difficult choices between conservation goals and economic interests.
From cbc.ca
Who's involved
- OttawaThe location where the federal cabinet body is making final listing decisions
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Churchill FallsSpeculative
Regulatory uncertainty over habitat protection delays could impact the costs and operations of large hydro projects like Churchill Falls.
Possible ripples
Who this could reach next, traced step by step from the reporting. Possibilities worth considering, not forecasts.- Species listing delays may affect British Columbia's policy planningRegulatory uncertainty over species protection may impact British Columbia's joint policy planningPossible
- How could Federal cabinet body finalizing species listing decisions affect David Eby?Federal listing delays may complicate British Columbia's environmental policy planningPossible
- Species listing delays may complicate Alberta's resource managementRegulatory uncertainty over species protection may impact Alberta's resource agreementsPossible
- Parliament may need to address legislative gaps slowing species protectionParliament may need to address legislative gaps slowing species protectionPossible
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The entities involved
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Ottawa
capital city of Canada
Related events
- Ottawa is the location of the national advisory committee.
- The announcement originates from Ottawa.
- The Government of Canada operates from Ottawa.
- The Canadian government, operating from Ottawa, co-sponsored a United Nations proposal involving the UN Secretary-General.
- Ottawa is identified as the capital city of Canada.