Species listing process: Species at Risk Act

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) uses the best biological information on a species deemed to be in some danger of disappearing from Canada to assess the risk status of that species. It reviews research information on population and habitat status, trends, and threats; uses community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge; and applies assessment criteria based on international standards.

COSEWIC assesses the species as extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened, special concern, data deficient, or not at risk.

COSEWIC sends its assessments and supporting evidence (which includes the reasons for the status designation and status reports) for species classified as at risk (Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern) to the Minister of the Environment and the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council once a year. The COSEWIC assessments and their supporting evidence are also posted on the SAR Public Registry.

The SARA listing process begins when the Minister receives the assessment of a species at risk from COSEWIC.

Once COSEWIC's species assessments are received, the Minister of the Environment has 90 days in which to publish response statements on the Public Registry. A response statement is published for each COSEWIC assessment. These statements indicate how the Minister intends to respond to the assessment and, to the extent possible, provides timelines for action. Certain species may require extended consultation.

A cost-benefit analysis of the proposed changes is undertaken. The Minister of the Environment forwards the COSEWIC assessments, the consultation results and cost-benefit analyses for each species assessed by COSEWIC to the Governor in Council (GIC) for decision.

Within 9 months of the Governor in Council receiving an assessment from the Minister, must decide, on the recommendation of the Minister, by order:

1. accept the assessment and add the species to Schedule 1 (the List)
2. decide not to add the species to the List; or
3. refer the assessment back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration

For a species that is already on the List the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, by order,

1. accept the assessment and accordingly, reclassify the species or remove it from the List,
2. decide not to reclassify it, or
3. refer the assessment back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration

For listed species for which a COSEWIC reassessment has concluded that there is no change to the status, no amendment to the List is required; the listing process is complete once the Minister’s response statement has been published.

After completing any required consultations or cost benefit analyses, the Minister provides that information along with the assessment to the Governor in Council (GIC). Once GIC receives the COSEWIC assessment, it has nine months to decide, or the Minister, by order, must amend the List according to COSEWIC’s assessment.

Once a species is added to Schedule 1 the species benefits from the legal protection afforded, and the mandatory recovery planning required, under SARA.