Bill C-295

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First Reading

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	SUMMARY
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.