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His Excellency the Governor General recommends to the House of
Commons the appropriation of public revenue under the circumstances,
in the manner and for the purposes set out in a measure entitled ``An Act
respecting the protection of wildlife species in Canada from extirpation
or extinction''.
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The purpose of this enactment is to prevent Canadian wildlife
species from becoming extirpated or extinct and to provide for the
recovery of those that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a
result of human activity.
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The enactment applies to Canadian indigenous species, sub-species,
and geographically distinct populations of wildlife at risk. It respects
Aboriginal and treaty rights and the authority of other federal ministers
and provincial governments. It establishes a federal-provincial
Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council to provide overall
guidance to national endangered species programs and to assure
national coordination.
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The enactment establishes the Committee on the Status of
Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) for the identification of
species at risk and the identification of threatening factors. COSEWIC's
decisions are to be made in an open and transparent manner and be
based on the best available scientific and traditional ecological
information. The Governor in Council is authorized to establish by
regulation the List of Wildlife Species at Risk based on COSEWIC's
designations.
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When a species is listed, the enactment provides prohibitions against
activities that harm individuals of the species or their nests or
residences, subject to certain limited exceptions. It authorizes
regulations prohibiting activities that harm animal species at risk that
cross Canada's international boundaries. The enactment also contains
provisions enabling emergency action, including habitat protection,
when circumstances warrant.
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The enactment establishes a mandatory recovery planning process
to put in place measures addressing the identified threats that species
face, including measures to protect habitat. Stiff penalties are provided
for offences. The enactment establishes a public registry and provides
the right for individuals to request investigations and to take civil action.
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