A particular species in Canada may be categorized as endangered and experience extended delays while awaiting Ottawa’s decision on its protection, all the while facing altering habitat conditions essential for its survival.
According to a recent study, out of 288 species evaluated as at-risk since 2017, only 17 had their final listing decision made by the federal cabinet body within the recommended timeframe. More than half of the species, 153 in total, were past due and still pending as of January 25, 2025, including caribou, beluga whales, and lake sturgeon populations marked as endangered or threatened.
The study points to a bottleneck in the Species at Risk Act (SARA) where Ottawa has suggested timelines for advancing assessments but lacks a statutory deadline for a crucial stage in the process. This gap has allowed governments to postpone difficult decisions concerning conservation versus economic interests.
Peter Thompson, the lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher in biology at Simon Fraser University, highlighted the government’s consistent failure to meet its self-imposed timelines of one to two years for assessments.
One example cited is the Saskatchewan-Nelson River population of lake sturgeon, which was designated as endangered in 2017 due to significant declines. The population missed a federal deadline for advancing the assessment and was still awaiting the next steps in the process five years later.
The protection of species hinges on formal listing or reclassification by the federal government under SARA, triggering prohibitions against harming or capturing the species and mandating a recovery strategy with identified critical habitat for protection.
Aquatic species are particularly impacted by delays, with marine mammals and fish facing prolonged listing delays compared to terrestrial species. The study highlighted the significance of habitat protection as a crucial tool under SARA and emphasized the need for efficient decision-making to safeguard species and their habitats.
Despite various reasons for delays, including information collection and analysis, Indigenous consultation, and lack of transparency, the study underscores the urgency in expediting the listing process to ensure timely protection measures for at-risk species.