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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, subspecies,
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 co-ordination.
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The enactment establishes, in the Schedule, a list of wildlife species
at risk. It also creates the Committee on the Status of Endangered
Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) for the identification of other 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. COSEWIC's decision to designate a species as one that is
at risk will result in an amendment to the Schedule.
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When a species is listed, the enactment provides prohibitions against
activities that harm individuals of the species, their residences or
habitats subject to certain limited exceptions. 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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