Five former chairs of a committee advising the federal government on endangered wildlife have penned an open letter expressing worries about proposed modifications to the Species At Risk Act. They fear these changes could result in the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. Over 600 species are currently protected under the law, and the potential amendments could undermine the act’s efficacy, rendering it “meaningless,” as stated in a recent press release by the scientists.
The ex-chairs, who were part of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), sent the letter to the government last month. COSEWIC is an independent body that evaluates species at risk and recommends their inclusion in endangered species legislation. By making the letter public, the scientists aim to prevent Canadians from inadvertently contributing to the extinction of wildlife in the country.
The concerns arise as the government contemplates broad environmental regulatory changes, including revisions to the Species At Risk Act, which would expedite the approval and construction of major projects. Two federal discussion papers in May proposed allowing major projects to proceed without undergoing a “jeopardy test” mandated by the law, should they be deemed nationally significant.
David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and a biologist at McGill University, criticized these potential changes, labeling them as a drastic blow to the law’s integrity and arguing that the jeopardy tests are crucial for safeguarding endangered species. Proposed alterations would grant the government powers to establish federal economic zones for pre-approving industrial developments and pipelines, circumventing federal impact assessments.
One specific project highlighted in the letter is a West Coast oil pipeline, currently under consideration as a project of national interest. This pipeline, resembling the existing Trans Mountain pipeline route, could pose severe threats to species such as the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea ecosystem.
The Liberal government’s proposed changes have stirred backlash from experts like Kathryn Harrison of UBC, who views the amendments as setting an unprecedented precedent by granting the government broad authority to bypass environmental laws. Despite the scientists’ open letter, the government is yet to respond officially. The Privy Council Office emphasized the government’s commitment to species conservation and recovery while justifying the proposed changes as necessary for boosting the economy and diversifying exports amid ongoing trade tensions with the U.S.
The government plans to release a report summarizing public feedback on the proposed amendments before summer’s end, with formal legislation anticipated when Parliament reconvenes in September. Green cautions against the irreversible consequences of species loss, urging the government to reconsider its approach.