A group of five former chairs of an advisory panel for endangered wildlife has released an open letter expressing worries about proposed revisions to the Species At Risk Act. They believe these changes could result in the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. The scientists, who previously headed the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), shared their concerns with the federal government. They made the letter public to prevent Canadians from being complicit in the extinction of wildlife species. The potential alterations to the Species At Risk Act are part of broader environmental regulation modifications being considered by the government.
The proposed adjustments include allowing for the advancement and construction of significant projects without undergoing a “jeopardy test” required by law. The jeopardy test serves to protect species listed under the act and their critical habitats from harm that could jeopardize their survival. These tests are crucial for safeguarding endangered species, according to David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and biology professor. The changes would grant the government the authority to establish “federal economic zones” for pre-approving industrial development and expedite the approval process for projects deemed in the national interest, such as pipelines.
A specific concern raised in the letter is the potential impact of a new West Coast oil pipeline on endangered species like the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon. The pipeline, if approved, could have detrimental effects on these species and their habitats in the Salish Sea region. The scientists warned that the proposed pipeline could lead to the decline of the killer whale population and disrupt their ecosystem.
Critics, including Green and UBC professor Kathryn Harrison, view the proposed changes as setting a concerning precedent. They believe the government is undermining environmental protections established by the Species At Risk Act and other laws. The government’s rationale for these changes includes the need to boost the economy and reduce reliance on U.S. markets amid trade tensions.
As of now, there has been no response from the government to the scientists’ letter. The government asserts its commitment to species conservation but has not confirmed whether it received the open letter. Public feedback on the proposed changes is being reviewed, with formal legislation expected after Parliament reconvenes in September. Green urges the government to reconsider its course of action, emphasizing the irreversible consequences of species loss in Canada.
