Part 2: The List of Species Eligible for an Amendment: December 2020

The list of species eligible for an amendment to schedule 1

Status of the recently assessed species and consultation paths

On September 2, 2020, COSEWIC submitted 13 assessments of species at risk to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for species that are eligible to be added to Schedule 1 of SARA. Ten of these are terrestrial species, and three are aquatic species. COSEWIC also reviewed the classification of species already on Schedule 1, in some cases changing their status. Two terrestrial species are now being considered for a higher risk status on SARA. In all, 12 terrestrial species that are eligible to be added to Schedule 1, or to have their current status on Schedule 1 changed are included in this consultation (Table 1).

COSEWIC also submitted the reviews of species already on Schedule 1, confirming their classification. Two of these reviews were for terrestrial species. These species are not included in the consultations because there is no regulatory change being proposed (Table 2).

For more information on the consultations for aquatic species, visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.

Questions to guide your comments

The following questions are intended to assist you in providing comments on the proposed amendments to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk (refer to the document entitled “The List of Species Eligible for an Amendment to Schedule 1” for the list of species under consultation). They are not limiting, and any other comments you may have are welcome. We also encourage you to share descriptions and estimates of costs or benefits to you or your organization where possible, as well as to propose actions that could be taken for the conservation of these species.

Respondent information

1) Are you responding as

1. an individual, or
2. representing a community, business or organization (please specify)?

Species benefits to people or to the ecosystem

2) Do any or all of the species provide benefits to you or Canada’s ecosystems? If so, please describe these benefits. If possible, please provide a monetary or quantitative estimate of their values to you.

For example:

Do any or all of the species provide benefits by supporting your livelihood, for example, through harvesting, subsistence or medicine? If yes, can you estimate the extent of these benefits, for example, how often the harvest takes place, the quantity harvested, and the uses of the harvested species (e.g., medicine, food, clothes, etc.)?

Do any or all of the species provide cultural or spiritual benefits, for example, recreation, sense of place or tradition? If yes, how?

Do any or all of the species provide environmental benefits, for example, pollination, pest control or flood control? If yes, how?

Impacts of species listing on your activities and the ecosystem

3) Based on what you know about SARA and the information presented in this document, do you think that amending the List of Wildlife Species at Risk with the proposed listing (Table 1) would have:

1. no impact on your activities or the species
2. a positive impact on your activities or the species; or
3. a negative impact on your activities or the species

Please explain your choice above, specifically:

4) Do you think that listing the species would result in cultural, social, or economic costs or benefits to you, your community or your organization?

5) Do you think that listing the species would result in any costs or benefits to the environment or Canada’s ecosystems?

6) Based on the maps provided in the species summary document, do any of your current or planned activities overlap with any of the species ranges or occurrences?

7) Are you aware of any current or planned activities (e.g., land conversion for natural resource, industrial, commercial, or residential development) that may have the potential to kill, harm, or harass the species and/or destroy any part of its habitat?

If yes, what are these activities, how could they have the potential to affect the species, and/or destroy any part of its habitat?

If yes, could you please explain what is being done, planned to be done, or could be done to avoid killing, harming, or harassing the species, or destroying its habitat? Would you also please describe what implications and/or costs may be involved (qualitative or quantitative). Would you personally have to adjust or cease any activities?

Additional information for small businesses

If you are responding for a small business, please provide the following details to help Environment and Climate Change Canada gather information to contribute to the required Small Business Lens analysis that forms part of the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement that will accompany any future listing recommendation.

1. Are you an enterprise that operates in Canada?

2. Do you engage in commercial activities related to the supply of services or property (which includes goods)?

3. Are you an organization that engages in activities for a public purpose (e.g., social welfare or civic improvement), such as a provincial or municipal government, school, college/university, hospital or charity?

4. Is your enterprise owned by a First Nations community?

5. How many employees do you have?

1. 0–99
2. 100 or more

6. What was your annual gross revenue in the last year?

1. less than $30,000
2. between $30,000 and $5 million
3. more than $5 million

Providing comments

The involvement of Canadians is integral to the listing process, as it is to the ultimate protection of Canadian wildlife. Your comments matter and are given serious consideration. Environment and Climate Change Canada will review all the comments that it receives by the deadlines provided below.

Comments for terrestrial species undergoing normal consultations must be received by April 2, 2021.

Comments for terrestrial species undergoing extended consultations must be received by September 2, 2021.

Most species will be undergoing normal consultations. For a description of the consultation paths these species will undergo, please visit the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry website.

For more details on submitting comments, see the section “Comments solicited on the proposed amendment of Schedule 1” in the document entitled “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species”.

Please email your comments to the Species at Risk Public Registry at:
ec.registrelep-sararegistry.ec@canada.ca

Comments may also be mailed to:

Director General, Wildlife Management
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Or you can give your comments by answering the online questionnaire.

For more information on the Species at Risk Act, please visit the Species at Risk Public Registry.

The COSEWIC summaries of terrestrial species eligible for addition or reclassification on schedule 1

For a brief summary of the reasons for the COSEWIC status designation of individual species, and their biology, threats, distribution and other information, please consult the COSEWIC Summaries of Terrestrial Species Eligible for Addition or Reclassification on Schedule 1

For a more comprehensive explanation of the conservation status of an individual species, please refer to the COSEWIC status report for that species, also available on the SAR Public Registry or contact:

COSEWIC Secretariat
c/o Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3