Profile of Rémi Hébert
Challenge: To catalogue all of Canada’s wild species

For over 15 years, Rémi has played an essential role in monitoring biodiversity in Canada. His work is at the heart of the Wild Species report, a major initiative to record and assess the population status of all species in the country. Each new edition of the report enables us to refine our knowledge and adapt our actions to protect Canada’s wildlife. The goal is ambitious: to achieve a comprehensive inventory of species living in Canada by 2030.

A journey guided by a passion for nature

Rémi has always been drawn to nature, although his interest in biology emerged gradually. He wanted to become an inventor when he was very young, not knowing that the word he was looking for was scientist. In CEGEP, he realized that biology courses captivated him the most. This realization led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology at the Université du Québec in Trois-Rivières, where he naturally turned to courses on the diversity of species. This curiosity never left him, and he went on to complete a master’s degree and a doctorate at Université Laval, specializing in conservation and ecology.

His career path led him to work in partnership with La Mauricie National Park, consolidating his expertise in conservation. After taking part in several competitions to join the ECCC recruitment pools, Rémi was recruited by the Department to support the preparation of the Wild Species report. His interest in biodiversity and the analysis of animal populations has led him to contribute to one of the largest wildlife assessment projects in the country for over 15 years.

A large-scale project for a clear depiction of biodiversity

The Wild Species report is published every five years and is an essential reference for scientists and wildlife managers. Each edition aims to include more and more species. In 2020, the report recorded approximately 50,000 species, and the 2025 edition forecasts 65,000. By 2030, the ultimate goal is to achieve a comprehensive inventory of around 80,000 species.

This colossal task requires collaboration with a team at ECCC and numerous specialists from various organizations, provincial and territorial governments, museum institutions, and citizen science programs, such as iNaturalist. Since its launch, this collaborative application has revolutionized the way scientists collect and analyze data. For many species, citizen monitoring is a good source of information for assessing abundance and distribution, complementing the specimens preserved in museums. They help us to better estimate the abundance and distribution of species, providing a more accurate picture of Canadian biodiversity.

Updating species lists requires many sources, including citizen science data, scientific publications, and museum collections. Experts examine new data to confirm species identification and adjust their conservation status. Coordinating these many resources is a major challenge, but it is also what makes the project so stimulating for Rémi.

The report is more than just an inventory; it also illustrates the conservation status of species and identifies those that are endangered. Nearly one-fifth of the species recorded in Canada are at risk, underscoring the importance of rigorous, ongoing monitoring. The 2020 edition identified almost 5,000 species at risk, including 2,253 priority species and 322 critically endangered species. This analysis helps determine which species may require legal protection and guide conservation actions.

A long-term commitment to promote conservation

The importance of this work is clear to Rémi. He believes that long-term monitoring of species is essential, as it is a valuable indicator of ecosystem health. Climate change, urbanization, and other environmental pressures are gradually altering the composition of Canada’s wildlife. New species are appearing, while others are becoming rarer.

The Wild Species report not only documents these trends but also provides essential data to guide conservation actions. Once the goal of compiling a complete inventory of all species has been achieved, the main challenge will be to keep this database up to date and continually integrate new information and species.

Rémi sees his role as essential—a pivotal point in documenting and protecting Canadian biodiversity. “As one of the few people collecting all this information, my motivation is really telling myself that my involvement is essential, and I have to move forward to ensure that as many species as possible are included in our report,” says Rémi, who is well aware of the major impact his work will have on the future of Canada’s biodiversity. He has a key position, responsible for gathering and coordinating knowledge from multiple sources to provide the most accurate picture possible of Canadian biodiversity.

An exciting and stimulating job

Despite the scope of the task, Rémi loves his work. He describes it as stimulating, dynamic, and highly rewarding. His work is living proof of the importance of a long-term commitment to conservation. Thanks to his dedication, Canada now has an increasingly clearer picture of its biodiversity—an invaluable resource for future generations.