Five former chairs of a committee that advises the federal government on endangered wildlife have penned an open letter expressing worries about proposed amendments to the Species At Risk Act. They argue that these changes could result in the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. The legislation currently safeguards over 600 species, and the potential modifications could undermine the act’s effectiveness, according to a press release issued by the scientists.
The ex-chairs of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) dispatched the letter to the government last month. COSEWIC is an independent panel that evaluates species at risk of extinction and recommends their inclusion under endangered species legislation. They decided to make the letter public to prevent Canadians from being complicit in the deliberate extinction of Canadian wildlife species.
The letter coincides with the Carney government’s contemplation of broad environmental regulatory changes, including those to the Species At Risk Act, intended to expedite the approval and construction of major projects. In May, two federal discussion papers proposed granting approval for major projects before review and exempting specific projects from the “jeopardy test” required by the law if they are deemed to be in the national interest.
David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and biology professor at McGill University, criticized the proposed changes, labeling them as excessive and unnecessary. The jeopardy tests are crucial in preventing Ottawa from authorizing projects that could harm species listed under the act and their vital habitats, thereby endangering their survival.
The potential amendments would empower Carney and the cabinet to establish “federal economic zones” for pre-approval of industrial development. Moreover, the cabinet would gain authority to pre-approve pipelines before route determination and exempt them from federal impact assessments. Bill C-5 currently allows fast-tracking of approval processes, including environmental assessments, for projects considered to be in the national interest.
The letter specifically addresses a new West Coast oil pipeline under consideration as a project of national significance. The pipeline, proposed to transport around one million barrels of crude oil daily over approximately 1,250 kilometers, could adversely impact multiple species listed under the act, including the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon, which are crucial for the whale’s sustenance.
According to the scientists, the proposed West Coast pipeline, if endorsed as being in the national interest, could pose a severe threat to the entire population of endangered killer whales through increased tanker traffic noise and habitat destruction. The letter questions whether Canadians are willing to risk this unique killer whale population for another oil pipeline.
Expressing astonishment at the Liberal government’s proposed changes, Green emphasized the importance of the Species At Risk Act, which the government introduced 25 years ago. Kathryn Harrison, a UBC professor specializing in climate and energy politics, highlighted the extraordinary nature of the precedents being set by Bill C-5 and related proposals, allowing the government to waive existing laws and enact new ones.
At the time of writing, the scientists had not received a response from the government regarding their letter. The Privy Council Office affirmed the government’s commitment to species conservation and compliance with the Species at Risk Act. The government’s rationale for the potential changes revolves around expediting projects to bolster the economy and reduce reliance on U.S. exports amid ongoing trade tensions.
Although the government extended the public engagement period due to criticism from First Nations and environmental groups, formal legislation is anticipated after Parliament reconvenes in September. Green warned the government to reconsider its stance, emphasizing the irreversible consequences of eliminating species from Canada.
