How could delays in federal species listing decisions affect British Columbia?
Regulatory uncertainty over species protection may impact British Columbia's joint policy planning The federal cabinet body in Ottawa is struggling to finalize species listing decisions under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), with over half of 288 species assessed since 2017 still awaiting protection as of January 25, 2025. This regulatory bottleneck creates significant uncertainty regarding species protection, particularly for aquatic species which are under federal jurisdiction. Because Ottawa and British Columbia engage in active governmental collaboration involving joint policy planning, this federal regulatory uncertainty could potentially impact the execution and effectiveness of those shared policy efforts.
- Effect
- Mild negative
- How direct
- Brind's reasoning
- When
- Within months
- The story
- Still developing
How it reaches British Columbia
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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.
The full event1independent outlet -
Ottawa and British Columbia engage in active governmental collaboration, involving joint policy planning and mutual negotiation on infrastructure and social programs. The delays in federal species listing decisions create regulatory uncertainty regarding species protection, which could impact the effectiveness of these joint policy efforts.
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- Of 288 species assessed as at risk since 2017, more than half were overdue and still waiting for listing decisions as of Jan. 25, 2025.cbc.ca
- SARA requires the environment minister to publish a response within 90 days of receiving a COSEWIC assessment, but there is no explicit deadline for getting the assessment to the Governor in Council.cbc.ca
- Aquatic species listings trigger protections across all waters where the species occurs because these species are under federal jurisdiction.cbc.ca
Why it matters
The stakes are high because the delays prevent species from receiving legal protection, including critical habitat identification and recovery plans. This regulatory gap allows governments to postpone difficult choices between conservation and competing economic interests, creating systemic risk for environmental planning.
British Columbia, as a partner in federal-provincial governance, relies on stable regulatory frameworks for its own policy planning and infrastructure development. The uncertainty surrounding species protection could complicate joint negotiations and the implementation of shared environmental goals.
What we don't know yet
- Will the federal government introduce statutory deadlines to streamline the species listing process?
- How will the regulatory uncertainty specifically affect current or planned joint infrastructure projects between Ottawa and British Columbia?
What would change this answer
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Reporting
- cbc.caYesterday
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