Canada's Wildlife and Resource Ministers Work Together to Protect Biodiversity
Copyright 2001 Canada NewsWire
September 20, 2001
TORONTO, Sept. 20 - Federal, provincial and territorial Wildlife, Forests, and Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers met jointly today to discuss Canada's strategy to protect biodiversity in all parts of the country.
At a joint meeting of the Forests, Endangered Species, Wildlife and Fisheries Councils, Ministers reviewed progress made under the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy in the five years since it was endorsed by all governments. "The development of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy is an example of federal-provincial-territorial cooperation at its best," said federal Environment Minister David Anderson, who co-chaired the meeting with Ontario Natural Resources Minister John Snobelen. "We now face the challenge of moving forward in a manner that is logical, practical and within our financial capabilities. We recognize the importance of our cooperation and concerted efforts in preparing for the Earth Summit 2002 and ultimately in protecting our country's rich biodiversity."
Ministers agreed to collaborate on four implementation priorities for biodiversity issues of Canada-wide concern. The priorities are: to develop a biodiversity science agenda; enhance capacity to report on status and trends; deal with invasive alien species; and engage Canadians by promoting stewardship.
"I look forward to continued co-operation with my federal, provincial and territorial colleagues in efforts to protect biodiversity across Canada. I believe our agreement to address threats to biodiversity, such as invasive alien species, is an important step forward," said Minister Snobelen.
Minister Anderson updated his colleagues on Canada's preparations for the Earth Summit 2002 and Canada's National Report, which will review Canada's progress on meeting commitments made at the 1992 United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. The international community will review the Report at a preparatory meeting for the Summit in January 2002. Ministers reviewed mechanisms for input into the report, and next steps for provincial, territorial, Aboriginal and stakeholder involvement in the process.
At the meeting of the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC), Ministers reviewed the status of protection of species at risk across the country, and Minister Anderson updated his colleagues on the status of Bill C-5, the federal Species at Risk Act, which is currently before Parliament. "Canadians asked for leadership on the protection of species at risk, and I am looking forward to getting legislation in place. I intend to continue working with my provincial and territorial colleagues to improve how we work together to protect species at risk," said Minister Anderson.
The CESCC received and released the 11th annual Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife (RENEW) report, which summarizes recovery action and planning under way for endangered and threatened species in Canada in 2000- 2001. The report highlights the dedication and commitment of recovery teams, which include government and non-government organizations, communities and dedicated volunteers across the country, to recover species at risk. Over 200 organizations made financial contributions to support recovery actions, and more than $26 million was invested on recovery measures in 2000-2001, almost double the expenditures in 1999-2000.
"The protection of species at risk is a shared responsibility and none of the progress that has been achieved on the ground to date would have been possible without Aboriginal Peoples, landowners, farmers, fishermen, conservation groups, and others working with governments to protect species at risk and the habitats on which they depend," said Minister Anderson.
The CESCC also received the annual report of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The COSEWIC list now includes 380 wild species in various risk categories. Of these, 82 are listed as threatened and 115 as endangered.
Ministers approved a process for developing and approving response statements for species that are listed as endangered or threatened (E&T) by COSEWIC. Response statements will summarize the approach and actions that each government proposes to take to protect and recover listed species. The CESCC agreed that response statements for the 15 new E & T listings made by COSEWIC at its May 2001 meeting would be completed by the jurisdictions in which the species occur.
At the CESCC meeting Ministers reviewed progress made by Ontario, British Columbia, Yukon and the Government of Canada on a pilot project to develop bilateral agreements under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. Ministers from these jurisdictions directed their officials to continue to work towards the completion of a model bilateral agreement. Bilateral agreements will clarify how these governments will work together to protect species at risk and avoid duplication and overlap.
Ontario provided the Wildlife Ministers' Council of Canada (WMCC) with a progress report on the development of the Canada-Wide Stewardship Action Plan. "Stewardship programs encourage and assist landowners and land managers to adopt practices to protect habitat for wildlife. Effective stewardship is key to the protection of species at risk," said Minister Snobelen.
Nova Scotia will co-chair the 2001-2002 WMCC meeting, which will be held in Halifax.
(Aussi disponible en franEcais)
BACKGROUNDER
CANADIAN BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY
The Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, adopted five years ago, sets out Canada's response to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Canada ratified the Convention in 1992.
The development of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy was an example of federal-provincial-territorial cooperation at its best. On Earth Day 1996 all jurisdictions signed a Statement of Commitment pledging to use the strategy as a guide to their actions and inviting all Canadians to join with them in conserving biodiversity and using Canada's biological resources in a sustainable manner.
Each jurisdiction has been implementing the strategy according to its own priorities and circumstances. There has been a growing recognition, however, that there are issues of cross-Canada importance for which it is not efficient for jurisdictions to act alone, or that exceed their capacities to address individually and therefore require collaborative action. There is also a need for cross-sectoral cooperation.
To that end, the Fisheries, Forests, and Wildlife Ministerial Councils have met jointly, and agreed to collaborate on priority biodiversity issues of Canada-wide concern. Specifically, Ministers agreed to work collaboratively towards the achievement of the following:
to develop, by the fall of 2002, a draft plan to address the growing threat of invasive alien species;
to develop, by the fall of 2003, a biodiversity science and research agenda for Canada to more effectively understand and address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, and as an order of first priority under that agenda to develop, by fall of 2002, a strategy to enhance the collection, management, sharing, analysis and accessibility of biological information to better support decision- making;
to develop by the fall of 2002 a business plan to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of monitoring and integration of biodiversity data and information across ecosystems to facilitate regular reporting on biodiversity status and trends commencing in 2005. These action plans will respect provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and take into account activities already in place; and
to develop, by the fall of 2003, a biodiversity stewardship strategy that supports and builds on the existing commitment of Wildlife Ministers to development of a Canada-Wide Stewardship Action Plan and enhances efforts to engage all sectors of Canadian society in biodiversity conservation.
A federal-provincial-territorial biodiversity working group will report back to Ministers, on progress achieved on advancing commitments made regarding these Canada-wide priorities.
BACKGROUNDER
The 2000-2001 COSEWIC Annual Report
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an arm's length committee of wildlife experts that provides independent advice to government on the national designation of species at risk.
COSEWIC met twice during 2000-2001 - in November 2000 in Montreal, and in May 2001 in Osoyoos, British Columbia. During these meetings, COSEWIC designated 29 new species (including subspecies and populations) and re- assessed 47 previously listed species against new more objective criteria. Forty endangered and threatened species remain to be re-assessed against the new criteria. For the majority of these, significant new information is available and an updated status report is required.
The COSEWIC list of Canadian species at risk now contains 380 species in various categories of risk, including 82 species in the threatened category, and 115 species in the endangered category.
The annual report provides details on all of COSEWIC's activities during 2000-2001, and includes information on all of the assessments and re- assessments conducted during the year. It also chronicles changes to the membership of COSEWIC and its Species Specialist Groups.
At its last meeting, COSEWIC agreed to adopt revised assessment criteria based on recent changes to criteria of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List. The changes are intended to ensure that the criteria better reflect the risk of extinction for various groups or organisms, such as marine fishes. The Canadian Wildlife Directors approved the changes, which are technical in nature, at its meeting in May 2001. Full details on the changes are included in the COSEWIC Annual Report.
COSEWIC will hold two full species assessment meetings in 2001-2002. The fall meeting will be held in Ottawa in November, while a spring meeting will be held in Wolfville, Nova Scotia in April 2002.
Further information is available on the COSEWIC web site at www.cosewic.gc.ca. The site provides updates on assessments, and information on COSEWIC's mandate, history, membership and operating procedures.
BACKGROUNDER
The Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC)
The Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC) was formed in 1998 by federal, provincial and territorial Wildlife Ministers under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada. The Council is made up of federal, provincial and territorial ministers with responsibilities for wildlife species. This includes Canada's minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency.
The Council is responsible for national leadership and direction for preventing wild species from becoming at risk. It has specific responsibilities for overseeing the listing and recovery of species that are at risk nationally, and plays a role in resolving issues under the Accord. The Wildlife Ministers Council of Canada will continue to operate, and will provide a forum for the discussion of wildlife management issues across a broader spectrum.
Species assessments are made by the Council on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), an arm's length committee of wildlife experts. COSEWIC makes its list public and forwards it to CESCC along with a rationale for each designation on the list. The CESCC determines and coordinates the most effective response actions.
For the first time this year, the CESCC is considering response statements to the 15 species listed as endangered or threatened by COSEWIC at its annual meeting in May 2001. Response statements are a new step in the national recovery process developed under the Accord, and are designed to show the immediate action that governments propose to take to protect endangered and threatened species found within their jurisdiction. They include a description of immediate conservation and protection measures to be undertaken, and preliminary recovery information including the recovery approach. They also designate the lead jurisdiction for each species.
The CESCC is responsible for monitoring and reporting every five years on the status of all species in Canada, and for communicating the progress on programs to the public. The first such report (Wild Species 2000: The General Status of Species in Canada) was released in April 2001. The CESCC will also be responsible for ensuring that good stewardship of natural habitats is both recognized and promoted in efforts to protect species at risk. The Council is mandated to seek and consider advice and recommendations from stakeholder groups for the implementation of the Accord.
More information can be found on the Canadian Wildlife Service's Web site at http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/sara/main.htm
BACKGROUNDER
RECOVERY OF NATIONALLY ENDANGERED WILDLIFE
RENEW (REcovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife), the national recovery program for species at risk, was launched in 1988. The program now involves three federal departments (Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Canadian Heritage -- Parks Canada Agency) provincial and territorial government agencies, wildlife management boards authorized by a land claim agreement, aboriginal organizations, other organizations and interested individuals.
RENEW was endorsed by the Wildlife Ministers Council of Canada as a means of reporting to the public on progress made under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. RENEW is now under the general direction of the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC), which is made up of federal and provincial ministers with responsibilities for protecting wildlife species. The Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee coordinates the program with the assistance of the Recovery Secretariat provided by the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada.
The 11th annual RENEW report, covering the 2000-2001 fiscal year, provides a wide range of information about recovery planning in Canada. It summarizes the resources invested in each species recovery plan during 2000- 2001, and provides information such as the status of the recovery plan, an estimate of the population and trends for individual species. It also outlines the goals for each recovery plan, lists the chair and leading jurisdiction, and provides an overview of recent progress.
The printed report is complemented by the RENEW web site, which can be found at www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/species/sar/efforts/index.htm (This site will soon migrate to www.renew-rescape.ca). The RENEW site provides additional information including species photos, range maps, biological information, updated recovery information, a list of recovery team members, the recovery newsletter and other useful references. Highlights from the 11th RENEW annual report include:
There are 64 recovery teams in place, 17 more than last year
19 recovery plans have been approved, and six more are awaiting approval
25 recovery plans or recovery strategies are in draft form
$26.6 million was expended on recovery in 1999-2000 (salary + expenses), covering work on about 100 species. This is almost double the expenditures in 1999-2000.
Employment on recovery initiatives is equivalent to about 129 people working full-time
Volunteer efforts are reported as equal to 25 people working full-time
214 organizations made financial contributions to recovery programs in 2000-2001
More information can be found on Canadian Wildlife Service's Web site at http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/sara/main.htm
BACKGROUNDER
The Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk
A history of cooperation
There is a long history of cooperation on species at risk among federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Through the designation of protected areas, implementation of international wildlife agreements and a commitment to biodiversity, governments have worked together on many nature issues.
In the spring of 1995, officials from Environment Canada, the provinces and territories held several public workshops across Canada to determine what should be included in a national approach to protecting species at risk. This led governments to develop the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, which states that the goal of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for wildlife is to prevent species in Canada from becoming extinct as a consequence of human activity.
In October 1996, Wildlife Ministers agreed in principle to the Accord and committed to a common approach to protecting species at risk that includes complementary legislation and programs.
In 1998, Aboriginal organizations, stakeholders, environmental organizations, communities and individuals took part in two national workshops sponsored by Wildlife Directors on draft plans for implementing the Accord.
Commitments under the Accord
The Accord lays out a number of commitments to protect species at risk. By its terms, governments recognize that intergovernmental cooperation is crucial to the conservation and protection of species at risk, that governments must play a leadership role, and that complementary federal and provincial/territorial legislation, regulations, policies and programs are essential to protecting species at risk.
Other activities
In the past year, there have been a number of activities and developments that further the spirit of the Accord in federal-provincial/territorial cooperation on species at risk:
The first national compilation of species status assessments was released in April 2001. The report, Wild Species 2000: The General Status of Species in Canada, contains the general status assessments for a cross-section of 1,600 Canadian species from all provinces, territories and ocean regions. The report is available at: www.wildspecies.ca
There were 76 Status Assessments of species by the Council on the Status of Endangered Species in Canada (COSEWIC)
Work on 64 recovery teams covering 108 different species under RENEW (Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife)