Progress Report on Steps Taken for Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada (October 2020 to March 2021)

June 2021

Departmental message

Protecting and recovering terrestrial species at risk and their critical habitat is a core responsibility of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Parks Canada Agency (PCA), and this responsibility is shared with provincial and territorial governments. ECCC works cooperatively with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, other federal departments and agencies and other partners and stakeholders to undertake conservation measures to improve the protection of biodiversity and species at risk.

Listing species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and producing the necessary recovery documents requires time and resources from both ECCC and partners. While this process allows the refinement of long-term recovery objectives and strategies for species at risk and their habitats, the obligations of SARA can create a backlog. To address these challenges and to get to action more effectively, consensus has emerged on the need for a prioritized, multi-species, outcome-based approach, grounded in stronger multi-jurisdictional partnerships and engagement of all partners (particularly with Indigenous Peoples). Now, more than ever, a strong collaborative approach between Indigenous, federal and provincial leaders is needed to make progress towards recovering Canada’s species at risk.

Thus, in 2018, the federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers responsible for conservation, wildlife and biodiversity endorsed the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada^{Footnote 2} (Pan-Canadian Approach). Under this modern approach, conservation efforts are concentrated on collaboratively identified shared priorities across Canada, focusing on priority species, places, and sectors. These concerted efforts are bringing partners together to collectively plan and implement stewardship actions on the ground to achieve better outcomes for species at risk.

In collaboration with most provinces and territories, the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach, is starting to yield better outcomes for species at risk through collaborative, multi-species and ecosystem based conservation initiatives in priority places, species and sectors and threats^{Footnote 3}. Since 2018, federal, provincial and territorial governments have collectively established 11 priority places, identified six priority species, and initiated dialogue for three priority sectors.

• Priority places are hotspots for species at risk; the 11 federal-provincial-territorial priority places cover nearly 30 million hectares (with ~2 million hectares of critical habitat) with an estimated 322 species at risk (~147 of which have > 50% of their range included within the priority places). In the priority places, federal and provincial or territorial governments are working with Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders to develop conservation action plans that will identify key actions to address the greatest threats to species
• The six priority species – Barren-ground Caribou; Greater Sage-Grouse; Peary Caribou; Wood Bison; Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (“boreal caribou”); and Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain population (“southern mountain caribou”) –  have (or had) large geographic ranges and an important ecological role on the national or regional scale, and many have high cultural, traditional and spiritual meaning for Indigenous peoples. Together, the species’ ranges span 10 provinces and territories and cover over 576 million hectares of Canada – approximately 58% of the country. By delivering conservation outcomes for targeted priority species, it is expected that we can achieve significant co-benefits for other species at risk, wildlife in general, and related biodiversity values
• Three priority sectors have been identified under the Pan-Canadian Approach: agriculture, forest sector and urban development. The Priority Sectors initiative addresses each of these sectors through a three-pronged approach: supporting innovative projects to explore opportunities within the sector, creating a mechanism for collaboration and developing conservation action plans for species at risk with sector partners and stakeholders

As trends appear to show that Canada is recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, ECCC, along with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples and other partners, will continue to transform the approach to terrestrial species at risk conservation by advancing the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach and related policy and program improvements. Future reports will continue to expand on the contribution of initiatives under the Pan-Canadian Approach to the protection and recovery of species at risk and their critical habitat.

Introduction

The purposes of SARA are to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity, and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. The responsibility for conservation of species at risk in Canada is shared by both levels of government. The Government of Canada first looks to the provinces and territories for the protection of terrestrial species’ habitat on non-federally administered lands, whereas the federal government is responsible for critical habitat protection for all species on federal lands.

Under SARA, the Government of Canada is obliged to track and report on actions taken and measures put in place to protect identified critical habitat of species at risk. This responsibility is found under section 63 of the Act. The department has published six reports to date on the measures taken. This report, along with subsequent ones, will also include information related to the critical habitat protection of terrestrial species at risk on PCA lands.

In addition to reporting on the implementation of SARA, federal, provincial and territorial governments have been implementing the Pan-Canadian Approach since 2018. This approach, now in its third year of implementation, is largely shifting from a single-species conservation approach to one that focuses on multiple species and ecosystems. This approach also concentrates conservation efforts on priority places, species, sectors and threats across Canada. This transformative approach is enabling conservation partners to work together to achieve better outcomes for species at risk. The Pan-Canadian Approach is also renewing relationships and strengthening collaboration between our governments and Indigenous Peoples, and other partners, including industry and non-governmental organizations.

In the spirit of the Pan-Canadian Approach, and of section 63 of the SARA, this report provides a summary of steps and actions taken and underway by provincial, territorial and federal governments to contribute towards the protection of identified critical habitat for 324^{Footnote 4}  species at risk in Canada (see Annex A). The report encompasses information related to species at risk critical habitat on federal and non-federal lands. Building on the previous six publications^{Footnote 5}, this report focuses on steps and actions that have occurred within the reporting period of October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

This reporting period occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic which may have impacted negatively the collective implementation of SARA and the Pan-Canadian Approach.

Report framework / category definitions

ECCC contacted provinces and territories to request that they report on steps and actions taken to contribute towards the protection of critical habitat on non-federally administered land. This request began with critical habitat as identified in federal recovery strategies or action plans for federally listed species at risk.

In the spirit of the Pan-Canadian Approach, steps or actions are organized in this report based on whether they relate to a single species, or relate to multi-species, priority places, or priority sectors and threats. ECCC also summarized the input and categorized it into the type of step or action taken. The key categories of steps or actions are defined as follows:

• legislative or regulatory: Steps taken related to the development or implementation of a wildlife/species at risk act or a regulation under an existing legislation
• policy: Steps linked to the development or approval of a policy to apply a species at risk legislation or consider wildlife and species at risk in decision making
• protected areas: Steps linked to the setting aside of land under an existing act or regulation for the purpose of regulating activities to reduce their adverse effects on habitat, or steps linked to the negotiation or establishment of a protected area
• agreements or easements: Steps linked to the negotiation or signature of a conservation agreement, under section 11 of SARA or under another applicable legislation (such as a Conservation Easement Act)
• securement: Voluntary setting aside, sale or purchase of land for the purpose of conservation and protection by a private landowner or a government, without the legal designation as a protected area
• range and management planning: Actions linked to the development and implementation of management plans and ranges plans
• control of Activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat (ALTDs): Any actions not already above captured which help control activities likely to result in the destruction of critical habitat for species at risk, when these activities are identified as such in the recovery strategy for the species
• stewardship: Habitat management actions which help maintain or enhance the quality of habitat that is already secured or within or outside of a protected area, or will be in the future

The list of species in each jurisdiction to which this report applies can be found in Annex A. This list represents all terrestrial species currently listed on Schedule 1 of SARA as threatened or endangered for which critical habitat has been identified on non-federal land or on territorial land in a final federal recovery strategy or action plan^{Footnote 6}.

The Yukon and Northwest Territories devolution agreements have given administration and control of large portions of land to the Yukon and Northwest Territories governments. This type of agreement is under negotiation for Nunavut. The federal government is working with the governments of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Indigenous governments and organizations, and northern Wildlife Management Boards to develop a path forward for protection of critical habitat on devolved lands (also known as territorial lands) and on non-federally administered lands in Nunavut.

1 Protection of critical habitat in the provinces

For critical habitat occurring on non-federally administered lands in the provinces, the Government of Canada first looks to the laws of the provinces for the protection of terrestrial species’ habitat. In the following sections, a summary of the applicable legislation is provided, followed by the different actions and measures put in place which reduce the risk of destruction of critical habitat, as reported by the provincial governments.

1.1 British Columbia

Status summary

In British Columbia (B.C.), there are 92 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A1). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within B.C. No legislative changes were made during the reporting period; the summary of legislation is below.

The Government of British Columbia does not currently have stand-alone species at risk legislation, and the purpose of most provincial land use legislation in B.C. is to manage industrial and commercial activities, including the environmental effects of those activities.

The Ecological Reserve Act, the Park Act, the Wildlife Act, and their associated regulations include provisions that could, in some circumstances, result in an outcome that prohibits critical habitat destruction within ecological reserves, in conservancies or provincial parks, and in wildlife management areas respectively. However, the scope of lands covered by these Acts is limited, and, except within ecological reserves, there are discretions that may enable the authorization of activities likely to result in the destruction of critical habitat. The Forest and Range Practices Act and associated regulations include enforceable prohibitions, but the prohibitions only apply to forest harvesting activities or range use practices under some circumstances, vary in their application depending on the specific land use designation, and have less restrictive provisions or exemptions for various types of operators.

On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation in B.C. may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment, please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.2 Alberta

Status summary

In Alberta, there are 22 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A2). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Alberta. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Government of Alberta does not have stand-alone species at risk legislation. The Wildlife Act and its Wildlife Regulation cover 12 SARA listed species (see Annex A2 for details) and are the primary provincial legislative tools that address wildlife management in Alberta. The Wildlife Act does not contain prohibitions against the destruction of habitat, but it enables the minister to make regulations respecting the protection of wildlife habitat and endangered species.

The Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act, the Provincial Parks Act and the Willmore Wilderness Park Act include provisions on critical habitat destruction in wilderness areas, ecological reserves, wildland provincial parks, and within Willmore Wilderness Park respectively. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation, such as the Public Lands Act and the Public Lands Administration Regulation, may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.3 Saskatchewan

Status summary

In Saskatchewan, there are 21 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A3). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, one new species had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Saskatchewan. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Government of Saskatchewan does not have stand-alone species at risk legislation. Rather, The Wildlife Act, 1998 and its Wild Species at Risk Regulations, covering nine SARA listed species (see Annex A3) are the primary provincial legislative tools that can address wildlife habitat and species at risk in the province. The Act allows for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations that designate an area of the province for protection of wildlife and their habitat, however, the Act also includes provisions to authorize activities in these areas. The Wild Species at Risk Regulations is the only regulation that includes provisions regarding species at risk; however, the prohibitions are limited.

The Provincial Lands Act, 2016 and The Conservation Easement Act include provisions on critical habitat destruction in Ecological Reserves, Representative Area Ecological Reserves and on land that is under a crown conservation easement, respectively. However, the scope of lands covered under these Acts is limited and there are specific provisions associated with each designated reserve and easement. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment, please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.4 Manitoba

Status summary

In Manitoba, there are 21 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A4). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, one new species has had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Manitoba. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act (ESEA) covers 20 SARA listed species (see Annex A4) and is the primary provincial legislative tool to protect species at risk and their habitat on non-federal lands. In general, the ESEA includes prohibitions against destroying, disturbing or interfering with the habitat of listed endangered or threatened species. However, the ESEA includes exemptions for developments and licenses under The Environment Act. Manitoba has not required proponents to apply for exemption under the ESEA for development projects licensed under The Environment Act. The ESEA also includes provisions for designating endangered or threatened ecosystems as protected through ecosystem preservation zones, which would apply to any overlapping critical habitat. However, as of March 2021, no ecosystem preservation zones had been designated.

Additionally, the Ecological Reserves Act and the Provincial Parks Act includes provisions on critical habitat destruction in ecological reserves, and certain zones within provincial parks. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.5 Ontario

Status summary

In Ontario, there are 94 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A5). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, five new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Ontario.

Habitat protection under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) is in place for 171 species at risk in Ontario, 91 of which are part of the 94 terrestrial species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in the province (see Annex A5). The Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA), was amended on December 8, 2020 to exempt forest operations in Crown forests from certain prohibitions of the ESA provided the forest operations are conducted in accordance with an approved forest management plan. The changes to the CFSA also include a new authority under the CSFA for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations with respect to forestry operations for the purpose of avoiding or minimizing impacts to a species at risk or assisting with the recovery of a species at risk. Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield population) (not currently listed under ESA), Golden-winged Warbler (currently listed Special Concern under the ESA) and Red-headed Woodpecker (currently listed Special Concern under the ESA^{Footnote 7}) are the only three species with final critical habitat in Ontario that do not currently receive any direct habitat protection under the ESA.

On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment, please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.6 Quebec

Status summary

In Quebec, there are 32 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A6). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, one new species has had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Quebec, and eight species with already identified critical habitat were added to the list based on new information. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

In Quebec, the Act respecting threatened or vulnerable species (LEMV) covers 29 SARA listed species (see Annex A6) and designates species as threatened or vulnerable. The LEMV also anticipates the creation of a List of Species Likely to be Designated Threatened or Vulnerable. Essentially preventive in nature, the List of Species Likely to be Designated Threatened or Vulnerable is an administrative and educational tool aimed at halting, or even reversing, the decline of species. However, there is no obligation to designate or protect habitats necessary for the survival or recovery of a species. In addition, although the LEMV and the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife (LCMVF) apply in principle to both private and public lands, the Regulation respecting wildlife habitats (RHF) limits the designation of wildlife habitats to land in the domain of the State, therefore limiting protection of habitat of at-risk wildlife species. However, steps are being taken to modernize the RHF and review these provisions.

In addition, Quebec has several tools available to create different types of protected areas. The designation of protected areas is an element of the Quebec Government’s strategy to promote sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity, including species at risk. However, with few exceptions, the areas of critical habitat covered by protected areas are generally very small except for the Green-scaled willow for which 100% of the critical habitat is in the Gaspésie national park established under the Parks Act. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.7 New Brunswick

Status summary

In New Brunswick, there are 13 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A7). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, one new species has had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within New Brunswick. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Species at Risk Act (NB SARA) is the primary provincial legislative tool that can protect critical habitat for species at risk on non-federal lands. It replaced the New Brunswick Endangered Species Act (NB ESA) in 2013. Schedule A of the NB SARA contains the species that were transferred from the NB ESA and kept the status they had under the NB ESA, including species that were listed as Endangered. Of the 13 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat in New Brunswick, eight species of Schedule A may receive habitat protection through transitional provisions of the NB SARA up until they are removed from Schedule A (see Annex A7). To be removed from Schedule A, the species must be listed and regulations provide that the prohibitions under section 28 apply^{Footnote 8}. Section 28 of the NB SARA states that no person shall kill, harm, harass, take, possess, buy, sell or trade an individual of a listed species at risk. Section 28 only applies to listed extirpated, endangered, or threatened species. Once listed, the NB SARA provides the Government of New Brunswick with the power to protect species at risk critical habitat by regulation or by order but only at the discretion of the Minister. To date no species has been listed under the NB SARA, and therefore no regulations have been made or orders issued in respect to the designation or protection of species at risk critical habitat under this Act.

The NB SARA and the Protected Natural Areas Act include provisions for species at risk critical habitat within Protected Natural Areas. Additionally, the Parks Act includes prohibitions against activities that could result in the destruction of species at risk critical habitat, though limited.

Under the Conservation Easements Act, individual easements could include prohibitions against activities likely to result in the destruction of species at risk critical habitat. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.8 Prince Edward Island

Status summary

In Prince Edward Island (PEI), there is one species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A8). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within PEI. There have been no modifications to legislation which applies to species at risk within this reporting period.

The Wildlife Conservation Act is the primary provincial legislative tool that can protect critical habitat for species at risk on non-federal lands. The Act provides the Government of Prince Edward Island with the power to protect the critical habitat of species at risk that have been designated (at the discretion Lieutenant Governor in Council) as a threatened or endangered species. To date, no regulations have been made under the Wildlife Conservation Act to designate a species at risk. Species at risk critical habitat could also, potentially, be protected on private land under an agreement with a private landowner which may impose a covenant or easement on the private landowner’s land. Unlike stand-alone easement legislation, which tends to be enforced under common law, such an agreement appears to be enforceable under the Wildlife Conservation Act.

The Natural Areas Protection Act includes provisions for species at risk critical habitat that occurs within natural areas designated under the Act. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation, such as the Planning Act, may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.9 Nova Scotia

Status summary

In Nova Scotia, there are 15 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A9). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, one new species has had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Nova Scotia.  Details on the Royal Assent of the Biodiversity Act are found below.

The Endangered Species Act (NS ESA) covers all 15 SARA listed species (see Annex A9) and is the primary provincial legislative tool that can protect habitat for species at risk on non-federal lands. The Act has prohibitions against the destruction of residence such as nests or hibernacula, including dwellings that are anthropogenic structures. The Act also provides the mechanism (through regulation or an order) to list prohibitions against the destruction of species at risk critical habitat on non-federal lands. However, no regulations or orders protecting species at risk critical habitat have been issued under this Act.

The NS ESA, the Wilderness Areas Protection Act, the Brothers Islands Wildlife Management Regulations (under the Wildlife Act), the Provincial Parks Act, the Conservation Easements Act and the Special Places Protection Act include provisions for species at risk critical habitat. On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

1.10 Newfoundland and Labrador

Status summary

In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are 10 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A10). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Newfoundland and Labrador. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act (NFL ESA) covers eight SARA listed species (see Annex A10) and is the primary provincial legislative tool that can protect critical habitat for species at risk on non-federal lands. The Act enables the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to make an order to set aside an area of land to be protected as species at risk critical habitat. However, no orders have been issued for species at risk under the NFL ESA.

The Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Act and the Provincial Parks Act both include provisions for species at risk critical habitat within Ecological Reserves and Provincial Parks respectively. On non-federal land, some provisions in other pieces of legislation may be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the provincial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

2 Protection of critical habitat in the territories

For critical habitat occurring on non-federally administered lands and in respect of the spirit of devolution agreements in the territories, the Government of Canada first looks to the laws of the territory for the protection of terrestrial species’ habitat. In the following sections, a summary of the applicable legislation is provided, followed by the different actions and measures put in place which reduce the risk of destruction of critical habitat, as reported by the territorial governments.

2.1 Yukon

Status summary

In Yukon, there is one species at risk with identified critical habitat to which this report related (see Annex A11). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within the Yukon. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Yukon has no stand-alone legislation protecting species at risk; however, certain activities impacting individuals of wildlife species are regulated under the Wildlife Act. On territorial lands, some provisions in various territorial acts can be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the territorial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

2.2 Northwest Territories

Status summary

In Northwest Territories (NWT) there is one species at risk with identified critical habitat to which this report related (see Annex A12). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within NWT.

The Government of NWT’s primary legislation for protecting species at risk, their Species at Risk (NWT) Act (NWT SARA), applies to Woodland Caribou (Boreal population). The Act has the authority to make regulations to protect critical habitat, however no such regulations have been put in place.

Protected areas in NWT can prevent some disturbance due to human activity in certain critical habitat, while ‘candidate areas’ may have interim protection through land withdrawals or land use plans. Moreover, regional land use plans contribute to conservation of species at risk habitat in the NWT in certain areas. Approved land use plans are implemented through comprehensive land claim agreements and the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

For more details on the territorial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

2.3 Nunavut

Status summary

In Nunavut, there are two species at risk with federally identified critical habitat to which this report relates (see Annex A13). From October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021, no new species have had critical habitat identified on non-federal lands within Nunavut. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.

The Wildlife Act is the main legislative tool that can specifically protect habitat for species at risk. In general, the Wildlife Act provides prohibitions against the destruction of species at risk critical habitat on public lands. However so far, no species are listed under the Nunavut Wildlife Act. On public lands the Territorial Parks Act includes prohibitions against activities on critical habitat, and some provisions in various territorial acts can be used to prohibit specific activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat.

For more details on the territorial legislative assessment please refer to the 2019 Report on Steps Taken and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada.

The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.

3 Other collaborative and federal protection of critical habitat

4 Protection of critical habitat on federal land

The Government of Canada relies on provisions of SARA to legally protect critical habitat on federal lands. There are three tools available for use under SARA: description in the Canada Gazette [s.58(2)]; protection statements [s.58(5)(b)]; and, orders [s.58(5)(a)]. A description of critical habitat in the Canada Gazette applies to species at risk found in federally protected areas (including National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and National Parks). A protection statement included in the public registry can also be used to describe how critical habitat is protected. The government can also make use of orders under specific sections of SARA for the protection of critical habitat not legally protected by provisions in, or measures under, this or any other Act of Parliament. PCA is responsible for species on lands under its administration. Critical habitat on lands and waters administered by PCA are also provided protection by PCA legislation and regulation. The following section summarizes the actions and measures taken by both ECCC and PCA for the protection of critical habitat for terrestrial species at risk. This section includes information from PCA about protection of critical habitat since the beginning of the implementation of SARA up to the end of this reporting period (March 2021), while ECCC content focuses primarily on the October 2020 to March 2021 timeframe.

*Protection for critical habitat for this species is provided in more than one legislative or regulatory category

Annex A: Lists of species with critical habitat identified on non-federally administered lands by province/territory

A1 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in British Columbia

• Bear’s-foot Sanicle
• Bearded Owl-clover
• Behr’s (Columbia) Hairstreak
• Blue-grey Taildropper
• Bog Bird’s-foot Trefoil
• Branched Phacelia
• Brook Spike-primrose
• California Buttercup
• Cliff Paintbrush
• Coast Microseris
• Coastal Giant Salamander
• Coastal Scouler’s Catchfly
• Contorted-pod Evening-primrose
• Deltoid Balsamroot
• Dense-flowered Lupine
• Dense Spike-primrose
• Desert Nightsnake
• Dromedary Jumping-slug
• Dun Skipper (Western population)
• Dwarf Woolly-heads (Southern Mountain population)
• Edwards’ Beach Moth
• Foothill Sedge
• Fragant Popcornflower
• Golden Paintbrush
• Grand Coulee Owl-clover
• Gray’s Desert-parsley
• Great Basin Gophersnake
• Great Basin Spadefoot
• Half-moon Hairstreak
• Haller’s Apple Moss
• Lemmon’s Holly Fern
• Lewis’s Woodpecker
• Lindley’s False Silverpuffs
• Little Brown Myotis
• Macoun’s Meadowfoam
• Marbled Murrelet
• Mexican Mosquito-fern
• Mormon Metalmark (Southern Mountain population)
• Mountain Holly Fern
• Muhlenberg’s Centaury
• Northern Goshawk, laingi subspecies
• Northern Leopard Frog (Rocky Mountain population)
• Northern Myotis
• Northern Saw-whet Owl, brooksi subspecies
• Nugget Moss
• Oregon Forestsnail
• Oregon Spotted Frog
• Pacific Water Shrew
• Pallid Bat
• Phantom Orchid
• Poor Pocket Moss
• Porsild’s Bryum
• Prairie Lupine
• Purple Sanicle
• Rayless Goldfields
• Rigid Apple Moss
• Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog
• Rosy Owl-clover
• Rusty Cord-moss
• Sage Thrasher
• Sand-verbena Moth
• Scarlett Ammannia
• Seaside Bone Lichen
• Sharp-tailed Snake
• Short-rayed Alkali Aster
• Showy Phlox
• Slender Collomia
• Slender Popcornflower
• Small flowered Lipocarpha
• Small-flowered Tonella
• Smooth Goosefoot
• Southern Maidenhair Fern
• Spalding’s Campion
• Spotted Owl, caurina subspecies
• Stoloniferous Pussytoes
• Streambank Lupine
• Tall Bugbane
• Tall Woolly-heads
• Taylor’s Checkerspot
• Tiger Salamander (Southern Mountain population)
• Toothcup (Southern Mountain population)
• Townsend’s Mole
• Vancouver Island Marmot
• Vesper Sparrow, affinis subspecies
• Victoria’s Owl-clover
• Water-plantain Buttercup
• Western Rattlesnake
• White Meconella
• Williamson's Sapsucker
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)
• Woodland Caribou (Southern Mountain population)
• Yellow-breasted Chat, auricollis subspecies (Southern Mountain population)

A2 - Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Alberta

• Dusky Dune Moth
• Five-spotted Bogus Yucca Moth
• Gold-edged Gem
• Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies^a2
• Greater Short-horned Lizard^a2
• Little Brown Myotis
• Loggerhead Shrike, excubitorides subspecies
• Non-pollinating Yucca Moth
• Northern Myotis
• Ord’s Kangaroo Rat^a2
• Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies^a2
• Porsild’s Bryum^a2
• Red Knot, rufa subspecies
• Slender Mouse-ear-cress^a2
• Small flowered Sand-verbena^a2
• Smooth Goosefoot
• Soapweed^a2
• Tiny Cryptantha^a2
• Western Spiderwort^a2
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)^a2
• Woodland Caribou (Southern Mountain population)^a2
• Yucca Moth

^a2 Species listed provincially under Alberta’s Wildlife Regulations, prescribed as endangered species.

A3 - Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Saskatchewan

• Black-footed Ferret^a3
• Burrowing Owl^a3
• Chestnut-collared Longspur
• Dusky Dune Moth
• Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
• Gold-edged Gem
• Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies^a3
• Greater Short-horned Lizard
• Loggerhead Shrike, excubitorides subspecies
• Mountain Plover
• Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies^a3
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Red Knot, rufa subspecies
• Slender Mouse-ear-cress^a3
• Small-flowered Sand-verbena^a3
• Smooth Goosefoot
• Sprague’s Pipit
• Swift Fox^a3
• Tiny Cryptantha^a3
• Western Spiderwort^a3
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)

^a3 Species listed provincially under the Saskatchewan Wild Species at Risk Regulations as threatened, endangered or extirpated wild species at risk.

A4 - Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Manitoba

• Dusky Dune Moth^a4
• Flooded Jellyskin
• Gattinger's Agalinis^a4
• Gold-edged Gem^a4
• Golden-winged Warbler^a4
• Least Bittern^a4
• Little Brown Myotis^a4
• Northern Myotis^a4
• Poweshiek Skipperling^a4
• Prairie Skink^a4
• Red-headed Woodpecker^a4
• Red Knot, rufa subspecies^a4
• Rough Agalinis^a4
• Small White Lady's slipper^a4
• Smooth Goosefoot^a4
• Western Prairie Fringed Orchid^a4
• Western Silvery Aster^a4
• Western Spiderwort^a4
• White Flower Moth^a4
• Whip-poor-will^a4
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)^a4

^a4 Species listed provincially as endangered or threatened species under the ESEA regulations.

A5 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Ontario

• Acadian Flycatcher^a5
• Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Carolinian population)^a5
• American Badger, jacksoni subspecies^a5
• American Chestnut^a5
• American Columbo^a5
• American Gingseng^a5
• American Water-willow^a5
• Bashful Bulrush^a5
• Bent Spike-rush (Great Lakes Plains population)^a5
• Bird’s-foot Violet^a5
• Blanding's Turtle (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)^a5
• Bluehearts^a5
• Blue Racer^a5
• Blunt-lobed Woodsia^a5
• Bogbean Buckmoth^a5
• Branched Bartonia^a5
• Butler's Gartersnake^a5
• Cherry Birch^a5
• Colicroot^a5
• Cucumber Tree^a5
• Deerberry^a5
• Dense Blazing Star^a5
• Drooping Trillium^a5
• Dwarf Hackberry^a5
• Eastern Flowering Dogwood^a5
• Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population)^a5
• Eastern Foxsnake (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)^a5
• Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid^a5
• Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus^a5
• Engelmann’s Quillwort^a5
• False Hop Sedge^a5
• False Rue-anemone^a5
• Five-lined Skink (Carolinian population)^a5
• Forked Three-awned Grass^a5
• Fowler's Toad^a5
• Gattinger's Agalinis^a5
• Goldenseal^a5
• Golden-winged Warbler
• Gray Fox^a5
• Gray Ratsnake (Carolinian population)^a5
• Gray Ratsnake (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)^a5
• Heart-leaved Plantain^a5
• Hill’s Thistle^a5
• Hine’s Emerald^a5
• Hoary Mountain-mint^a5
• Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle^a5
• Jefferson Salamander^a5
• Juniper Sedge^a5
• Kentucky Coffee-tree^a5
• Lakeside Daisy ^a5
• Large Whorled Pogonia^a5
• Least Bittern^a5
• Little Brown Myotis^a5
• Loggerhead Shrike, migrans subspecies ^a5
• Massasauga, Carolinian population^a5
• Massasauga, Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population^a5
• Nodding Pogonia^a5
• Northern Myotis^a5
• Pale-bellied Frost Lichen^a5
• Pink Milkwort^a5
• Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies^a5
• Prothonotary Warbler^a5
• Purple Twayblade^a5
• Queensnake^a5
• Rapids Clubtail^a5
• Red-headed Woodpecker
• Red Knot, rufa subspecies^a5
• Red Mulberry^a5
• Round-leaved Greenbrier (Great Lakes Plains population)^a5
• Rusty-patched Bumblebee^a5
• Scarlett Ammannia ^a5
• Slender Bush-clover^a5
• Small-flowered Lipocarpha ^a5
• Small-mouthed Salamander^a5
• Small White Lady’s-slipper ^a5
• Small Whorled Pogonia ^a5
• Spiny Softshell^a5
• Spoon-leaved Moss^a5
• Spotted Turtle^a5
• Spotted Wintergreen^a5
• Toothcup (Great Lakes Plains population)^a5
• Tri-coloured Bat^a5
• Virginia Goat’s-rue^a5
• Virginia Mallow^a5
• Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield population)
• Western Silvery Aster^a5
• Whip-poor-will^a5
• White Wood Aster^a5
• Wild Hyacinth^a5
• Willowleaf Aster^a5
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)^a5
• Wood Poppy^a5
• Wood Turtle^a5
• Yellow-breasted Chat virens subspecies^a5

^a5 Species provincially listed as endangered or threatened, and receiving some habitat protection under the Ontario ESA.

A6 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Quebec

• Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)
• American Gingseng^a6
• American Water-willow^a6
• Bicknell’s Thrush^a6
• Blanding’s Turtle (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)^a6
• Blunt-lobed Woodsia^a6
• False Hop Sedge^a6
• Forked Three-awned Grass^a6
• Golden-winged Warbler^a6
• Green-scaled Willow^a6
• Gulf of St- Lawrence Aster^a6
• Horned Grebe (Magdalen Islands population)^a6
• Least Bittern^a6
• Little Brown Myotis^a6
• Maritime Ringlet^a6
• Mountain Holly Fern^a6
• Northern Myotis
• Piping Plover, melodus subspecies^a6
• Purple Twayblade
• Red-headed Woodpecker^a6
• Red Knot, rufa subspecies^a6
• Roseate Tern^a6
• Spiny Softshell^a6
• Tri-coloured Bat^a6
• Van Brunt's Jacob's ladder^a6
• Victorin's Gentian^a6
• Western Chorus frog (Great lakes St-Lawrence population)^a6
• Whip-poor-will^a6
• White Wood Aster^a6
• Woodland Caribou (Atlantic-Gaspesie population)^a6
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)^a6
• Wood Turtle^a6

^a6 Species designated as Threatened or Vulnerable under the Act respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species (LEMV) or listed as a species likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable under the LEMV.

A7 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in New Brunswick

• Bicknell’s Thrush
• Cobblestone Tiger Beetle^a7
• Furbish's Lousewort^a7
• Gulf of St- Lawrence Aster^a7
• Least Bittern
• Little Brown Myotis^a7
• Maritime Ringlet^a7
• Northern Myotis^a7
• Piping Plover, melodus subspecies^a7
• Tri-coloured Bat^a7
• Van Brunt’s Jacob’s ladder
• Whip-poor-will
• Wood Turtle

^a7 Species provincially listed as endangered in Schedule A of the New Brunswick Species at Risk Act.

A8 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Prince Edward Island

• Piping Plover, melodus subspecies

A9 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Nova Scotia

• Bicknell’s Thrush^a9
• Blanding's Turtle (Nova Scotia population)^a9
• Boreal Felt Lichen (Atlantic population)^a9
• Eastern Mountains Avens^a9
• Eastern Ribbonsnake (Atlantic population)^a9
• Little Brown Myotis^a9
• Northern Myotis^a9
• Pink Coreopsis^a9
• Piping Plover, melodus subspecies^a9
• Plymouth Gentian^a9
• Roseate Tern^a9
• Thread-leaved Sundew^a9
• Tri-coloured Bat^a9
• Vole Ears lichen^a9
• Wood Turtle^a9

^a9 Species provincially listed as endangered or threatened wildlife species under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.

A10 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in Newfoundland and Labrador

• American Marten, Newfoundland population^a10
• Barrens Willow^a10
• Fernald’s Braya^a10
• Little Brown Myotis
• Long’s Braya^a10
• Northern Myotis
• Piping Plover, melodus subspecies^a10
• Porsild’s Bryum^a10
• Vole Ears lichen^a10
• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)^a10

^a10Species provincially listed as endangered or threatened under the Newfoundland Endangered Species Act.

A11 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federally administered lands in Yukon

• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)

A12 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federally administered lands in the Northwest Territories

• Woodland Caribou (Boreal population)

A13 – Species with critical habitat identified on non-federally administered lands in the Nunavut

• Ivory Gull
• Red Knot, rufa subspecies