A study revealed that many species in Canada designated as endangered have faced delays in the listing process, potentially impacting their survival due to changing habitats. Out of 288 at-risk species assessed since 2017, only 17 have reached the final decision-making body, the Governor in Council, within the recommended timeframe. Over half, totaling 153 species including caribou, beluga whales, and lake sturgeon, are still awaiting a decision as of January 25, 2025.
The bottleneck in the process is attributed to a gap in the Species at Risk Act (SARA), where there is no statutory deadline for a crucial stage. This lack of a timeline has led to consistent delays, with governments deferring difficult choices between conservation and economic concerns.
One such example is the Saskatchewan-Nelson River population of lake sturgeon, which was deemed endangered in 2017 by COSEWIC. Despite the recommended federal deadline for advancing the assessment in 2020, it remained pending five years later. The construction of dams and other hydro projects has disrupted the fish’s movement between vital areas, hindering their survival.
The protection of endangered species under SARA, triggered by federal listing, includes prohibitions against harming or capturing them and mandates the identification and safeguarding of critical habitats. Delays in listing, particularly affecting aquatic species, can have far-reaching consequences beyond just biodiversity, impacting cultural traditions and Indigenous communities deeply connected to these species.
The study highlighted the significant delays in listing marine mammals and fish, with no marine species reaching the Governor in Council by January 2025. The need for efficient processes to ensure timely decisions and adequate protection for species facing endangerment was emphasized by experts and researchers involved in the study.