Progress report on steps taken for protection of critical habitat for species at risk in Canada (October 2022 to March 2023)
June 2023
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Departmental message
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Parks Canada (PC) have a core responsibility to protect, conserve and recover terrestrial species at risk and their critical habitat. This responsibility is shared with provincial and territorial governments. ECCC and PC work cooperatively with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, other federal departments and agencies, and other partners and stakeholders to undertake conservation measures to recover species at risk and protect biodiversity at large.
A key tool for the protection of species at risk in Canada is the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Listing species under SARA and producing the required recovery documents allows for the refinement of long-term recovery objectives and strategies for each species at risk and their habitats. However, as more species are listed under SARA, it has become evident that a species-by-species approach to recovery is highly resource-intensive and can lead to uncoordinated, siloed actions that do not enable us to meet our collective species at risk requirement to the greatest extent possible. Consensus has emerged on the need for a prioritized, multi-species, stewardship-based approach to better focus on recovery outcomes and undertake needed actions in an effective and timely manner; one that is grounded in stronger multi-jurisdictional partnerships and engagement of all partners, notably Indigenous Peoples.
The Government of Canada has been collaborating with provincesFootnote 1, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and other conservation partners to implement the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in CanadaFootnote 2 (Pan-Canadian Approach) since 2018. Conservation efforts under the Pan-Canadian Approach are concentrated on shared priorities across Canada, focusing on a set of priority places, species, and sectors. These concerted efforts are bringing conservation partners together to collectively plan and implement stewardship actions on the ground to achieve better outcomes for species at risk.
- Eleven priority places have been established that are hotspots for species at risk. These priority places cover nearly 30 million ha (including ~2 million ha of critical habitat for species at risk) with more than 320 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. To learn more about the Priority Places initiative and the work undertaken by our partners to recover species at risk within these priority places, please visit our interactive website. These 11 priority places are complemented by a suite of Community-Nominated Priority Places (CNPP), which were identified through an open call for applications. In 2018-2022, more than 12,000 ha were secured and more than 150 km of shoreline and 65,000 ha were stewarded for species at risk through actions implemented by partners in the federal-provincial-territorial priority places. In 2019-2022, more than 1400 ha were secured and more than 950 km of shoreline and 15,000ha were stewarded for species at risk through actions implemented by partners through CNPP. Six priority places overlap with National Parks which broadens the collaboration between partners to maximize landscape-scale conservation benefits
- Six priority species have been identified by federal-provincial-territorial governments: Greater Sage-Grouse; Wood Bison; Barren-ground Caribou; Peary Caribou; Caribou, Boreal population (“boreal caribou”); and Woodland Caribou, Southern Mountain population (“southern mountain caribou”). Priority species have large geographic ranges, an important ecological role at the national or regional scale, and many have high cultural, traditional and spiritual meaning for Indigenous Peoples. Together, the priority species’ ranges cover over 576 million ha – roughly ~58% – of Canada. Bilateral or multilateral conservation agreements have been signed with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to support commitments towards recovery planning and on-the-grou nd actions. 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: agriculture, forest sector and urban development. The priority sectors initiative addresses each of these sectors through a three-pronged approach:
- supporting innovative sector projects that can lead to the protection and recovery of species at risk (such as integrating species at risk into sectoral plans, testing of decision support tools, assessing financial incentives and mechanisms)
- creating a mechanism for collaboration with sectors; and
- developing conservation action plans for species at risk with sector partners and stakeholders
ECCC, along with PC, provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples and other partners, continue to advance biodiversity conservation through the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach and related policy and program improvements.
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 different 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. The federal government is responsible for critical habitatFootnote 3 protection for all species on federal lands.
Species at risk are important elements of healthy ecosystems, and protecting them helps support biodiversity. The protection of critical habitat supports the Goal 15, Healthy Wildlife Populations under the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy to protect and recover species, and conserve Canadian biodiversity. Critical habitat protection also supports United Nations Sustainable Development Target 15.5 (of Goal 15) to take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2030, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
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 ten reports prior to this publication on the measures taken. This report focuses on information related to the protection of critical habitat for terrestrial species at risk in Canada.
In addition to reporting on the implementation of SARA, federal, provincialFootnote 4 and territorial governments have been implementing the Pan-Canadian Approach since 2018. Now in its fifth year of implementation, the Pan-Canadian 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 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 266 terrestrial species at riskFootnote 5 in Canada, an increase of 4 species since the previous report published in January 2023 (see Annex A). The report includes information related to species at risk critical habitat on federal and non-federal lands. Building on the previous ten publicationsFootnote 6, this report focuses on steps and actions that have been taken during the reporting period of October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Since the first multi-species report (June 2019), 403 steps and actions have been taken to protect identified critical habitat for species at risk.
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 terrestrial species at risk. The report also includes information on other collaborative efforts as well as information on steps and actions taken on federal lands including input from Parks Canada.
Guided by 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. ECCC 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 legislation or a regulation under 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 other 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 legal designation as a protected area
- Range and management planning: Steps linked to the development and implementation of management plans and range plans
- Control of Activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat (ALTDs): Any steps 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 that help maintain, restore or enhance the quality of habitat
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 in a final federal recovery strategy or action planFootnote 7.
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, 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 will also look to do so with its counterparts in Nunavut through the devolution process.
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.
1.1 British Columbia
Status summary
In British Columbia (BC), there are 104 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal land and three species with federally identified critical habitat only on federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A1). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, critical habitat for two new species (Audouin’s Night-stalking Tiger Beetle and Barn Owl, Western population) was identified on non-federal lands within BC. As this critical habitat is newly identified, no protection actions for these species occured during this reporting period. No legislative changes were made during the reporting period; the summary of legislation is below.
The Government of BC does not currently have stand-alone species at risk legislation. The purpose of most provincial land use legislation in BC is to manage industrial and commercial activities, including the environmental effects of those activities.
The Ecological Reserve Act, the Park Act, the Wildlife Act, the Land 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 (FRPA) and the Oil and Gas Activities Act (now the Energy Resources Activities Act (ERAA)) and associated regulations include enforceable prohibitions, but the prohibitions only apply to forest harvesting activities, oil and gas 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.
Recently the province amended the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation under the FRPA to remove the limitation “without unduly reducing the supply of timber” from objectives set by government in the Act. This change enables forest stewardship plan holders and Ministry decision makers to fully balance forest values when managing for timber and non-timber objectives under the FRPA. This clause has not been removed from FRPA’s Government Actions Regulation at this time.
On non-federal lands, some provisions in other pieces of legislation in BC 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for specific species during this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Legislative or regulatory |
Little Brown Myotis Northern Myotis Woodland Caribou (Southern Mountain population) |
Incomappleux Conservancy, southeast of Revelstoke, was established January 30, 2023 by Order in Council resulting in the permanent protection of 58,654 ha of the Incomappleux Valley. The new conservancy contains rare inland rainforest, including stands of old growth and hundreds of species of lichen. Protection in this area was a result of a partnership between the province, Interfor and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The conservancy contains critical habitat for three species: Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Woodland Caribou (Southern Mountain population). |
Protected areas |
Little Brown Myotis Marbled Murrelet Northern Goshawk, laingi subspecies Northern Myotis |
During the reporting period, BC established 31 new Wildlife Habitat Areas (WHA) overlapping with approximately 2,619.9 ha of critical habitat for Little Brown Myotis, Marbled Murrelet, Northern Goshawk and Northern Myotis. |
Stewardship |
Great Basin Spadefoot Lewis’s Woodpecker Little Brown Myotis Northern Myotis Western Painted Turtle (Pacific Coast population) Western Rattlesnake Yellow-breasted Chat, auricollis subspecies (Southern Mountain population) |
Wetland restoration activities are ongoing at Ginty’s Pond in Cawston, BC. In 2022, now referred to as Phase 1, the project team:
Phase 2 restoration activities will focus on re-establishing up to an additional two ha of open water-cattail fringe wetland and creating a target of an additional 0.5 ha of new riparian shrub-woodland habitat immediately upstream of the initial two ha restored during Phase 1 |
Range and management planning |
Great Basin Gophersnake Great Basin Spadefoot Lewis’s Woodpecker Western Painted Turtle (Pacific Coast population) Western Rattlesnake |
A collaborative species at risk management project with Skeetchestn First Nation within their traditional territory is ongoing. The project was initiated by creating a living management plan document to guide the project and the initial focus has been on wetlands and associated species at risk with the intention to create a long-term partnership to manage species at risk in this area. Activities completed in 2022-2023 are as follows:
|
1.2 Alberta
Status summary
In Alberta, there are 22 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands, and three species with federally identified critical habitat only on federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A2). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Protected areas |
Bank Swallow |
Big Island Provincial Park was established on March 16, 2023. The establishment of Big Island as a Provincial Park represents a new protected area of approximately 79 ha in size, in a sensitive riparian area along the North Saskatchewan River. The park will be reported as a protected area in the next reporting cycle for the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) (IUCN category II or V, TBD). It has a primary overriding objective for the conservation of nature, with compatible, low-impact, day-use recreational and cultural activities permitted. Industrial activities are prohibited. This new park will be cooperatively managed with Enoch Cree Nation and the City of Edmonton, ensuring that both current science and traditional ecological knowledge are incorporated into the management and protection of critical species at risk habitat. |
Stewardship |
Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies |
Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) continues to promote and enhance stewardship of species at risk habitats, including long-term securement of critical habitat within Alberta. On March 1, 2023, the offer to purchase closed for an ACA (fee-simple purchase) of the Manyberries Expansion Conservation Site (Phase 1) in South Eastern Alberta (Sec 10-006-05-W4M). This 259 ha parcel overlaps with critical habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse. Other species on site will be updated after completion of a wildlife inventory by MULTISAR in summer 2023. Phase 2 of the securement project (Sec 09-006-05-W4M) will be completed by December 31, 2023. |
Securement Stewardship |
Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies |
The Orphan Well Association (OWA) continues to conduct reclamation activities within Greater Sage-Grouse critical habitat, including pipeline abandonment, infrastructure removal of buildings, powerlines and storage tanks as well as a number of well abandoments. Work is coordinated with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to prioritize sites that will have the largest benefits to Greater Sage-Grouse. During the most recent reporting period (October 2022 to March 2023), 21 well sites in Greater Sage-Grouse critical habitat underwent downhole abandonment, 6 major faclities were decomissioned via the removal of structures, and reclamation activities were completed at 17 sites. The City of Medicine Hat also undertook a number of reclamation activities in sage grouse habitat, including completing well abandonment at 138 of 148 sites; pipeline abandonment and facility decommissioning at all sites; 132 phase II environmental site assessments; and 9 soil remediation projects, including two near a Greater Sage-Grouse lek. |
Stewardship |
Piping Plover circumcinctus subspecies |
Grazing lease agreements around Little Fish Lake were renewed. The agreements cover ten quartersections around the lake and include provisions to exclude cattle grazing during the Piping Plover breeding period from May 1 to July 1. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Stewardship |
Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies Western Spiderwort |
Two properties in southeastern Alberta have signed up to participate in the MULTISAR Program. The first property , which is ~31,000 ha in size and contains 18,457 ha of Greater Sage Grouse critical habitat, will be assessed in 2023. The second property, which is also ~31,000 ha in size and contains 3,718 ha of Greater Sage Grouse critical habitat, will be assessed in 2024. |
1.3 Saskatchewan
Status summary
In Saskatchewan, there are 21 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A3). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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 Wildlife Act, 1998 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, it 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Agreements or easements |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
Consistent with commitments made in the conservation agreement under section 11 of SARA between Canada and Saskatchewan for boreal caribou, Saskatchewan continued ongoing engagement with stakeholders and rights holders to develop and implement range plans. Saskatchewan continues to engage with the industry regarding caribou range plan implementation and mitigation guidelines. Revisions are being completed for a Final SK2 East Range Plan to incorporate comments received during public review. In addition, approvals were completed during this reporting period to extend the current Canada-Saskatchewan contribution agreement for the 2023-24 fiscal period. |
Stewardship |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
Between October 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, a total of 16 wells received the Acknowledgement of Reclamation, involving an approximate area of 1.9 acres. All the reclaimed stratigraphic wells occur in boreal caribou habitat. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for multiple species during this reporting period. |
1.4 Manitoba
Status summary
In Manitoba, there are 22 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A4). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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 with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands (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 2023, 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Agreements or easements |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
Manitoba and Canada signed a three year SARA section 11 conservation agreement for boreal caribou, which was publicly posted on March 1, 2023, to support caribou conservation and recovery in the province. Manitoba committed to finalizing and begin implementing range plans by 2025, and undertaking measures such as caribou population and habitat monitoring. |
Control of activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
Manitoba imposed environmental licensing conditions on Alamos Gold to contribute to a caribou monitoring project in the Kamachawie boreal woodland caribou management unit and to prepare an action plan for caribou habitat management that will mitigate habitat loss that is expected under the project. The licensee is required (prior to construction) to enter into a collaborative collaring project and associated contribution agreement with Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development for the purpose of developing a monitoring, assessment and mitigation plan for caribou, for approval by the Director of Wildlife. The results will inform an Action Plan which is required by 2028. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for multiple species during this reporting period. |
1.5 Ontario
Status summary
In Ontario, there are 100 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands and two species with federally identified critical habitat only on federal land to which this report relates (see Annex A5). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, critical habitat for a new species (Hoptree Borer) was identified on non-federal lands within Ontario. As this critical habitat is newly identified, no protection actions for this species occured during this reporting period. There have been no modifications to species at risk legislation within this reporting period.
Habitat protection under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) is in place for 190 species at risk in Ontario, 97 of which are part of the 100 terrestrial species with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands in the province (see Annex A5). Under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA), forest operations in Crown forests are exempt from certain prohibitions of the ESA provided the forest operations are conducted in accordance with an approved forest management plan. Impacts to species at risk as a result of forest operations are managed through requirements under the CFSA framework. 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 Lakeside Daisy (currently listed Special Concern under the ESA) 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Control of activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
Under the Ontario Forest Management Guide for Boreal Landscapes, the requirements for the management of boreal caribou habitat through space and time, including through the development of a Dynamic Caribou Habitat Schedule, continued to be incorporated into forest management plans that intersect with boreal caribou ranges. Within the reporting period, the Wabadowgang Noopming Forest Forest Management Plan was approved in March 2023. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Protected areas |
Blanding's Turtle (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population) Eastern Whip-poor-will Least Bittern |
During this reporting period, the province of Ontario has made significant progress to designate Ostrander Crown Land Block and Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area, two ecologically significant areas along the southern shore of Prince Edward County, as a conservation reserve under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act. The Land Use Amendment to redesignate the lands as a "Recommended Conservation Reserve" was approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The Environmental Assessment associated with the project has also been completed. |
Stewardship |
Multiple species |
The province of Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Program (SARSP) cycles annually with a reporting period of March to February. From March 2022 – February 2023, SARSP supported 67 ongoing or new stewardship projects that support the protection and recovery of the province of Ontario’s species at risk. SARSP projects contribute to the restoration of important habitat, mitigate threats, fill knowledge gaps through research and monitoring, and promote awareness through education and outreach initiatives. Specific measures, including information on hectares restored or enhanced, and outreach impressions for the March 2022 – February 2023 SARSP cycle will be available in the next progress report. |
1.6 Quebec
Status summary
In Quebec, there are 38 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A6). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was identified on non-federal lands within Quebec. 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 27 SARA listed species (see Annex A6) and designates species as threatened or vulnerable. Additionally, LEMV has a List of Species Likely to be Designated Threatened or Vulnerable (7 of which are listed under SARA) that, essentially preventive in nature, is an administrative and educational tool aimed at halting, or even reversing, the decline of species. However, there is no legislative 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, efforts are continuing 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No content on the steps and actions taken for specific species was provided for this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No content on the steps and actions taken for multiple species was provided for this reporting period. |
1.7 New Brunswick
Status summary
In New Brunswick, there are 16 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A7). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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 16 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat in New Brunswick, 10 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 applyFootnote 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 the NB SARA.
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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for specific species during this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Protected areas |
Bank Swallow Bicknell’s Thrush Eastern Whip-poor-will Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster Piping Plover, melodus subspecies Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder Wood Turtle |
The Government of New Brunswick has led a provincial initiative since 2019 to double the amount of protected land in New Brunswick and has, as of December 13, 2022, achieved the target of 10% protection. Areas selected for conservation had a specific biodiversity focus, such as: old forests, areas of high biodiversity, and unique ecosystem types. The following summary highlights the amount of critical habitat that is now protected within Nature Legacy Protected Areas. Bicknell's Thrush: 2,4903.2 ha Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster: 9.2 ha Piping Plover melodus subspecies: 871.9 ha Van Brunt's Jacob's-ladder: 0.5 ha Eastern Whip-poor-will: 230.6 ha Wood Turtle: 2,167.3 ha Bank Swallow: 1,971.6 ha |
Control of activities likely to result in destruction of critical habitat |
Bank Swallow Bats Bicknell’s Thrush Eastern Waterfan Eastern Whip-poor-will Maratime Ringlet Piping Plover, melodus subspecies |
In New Brunswick, reviewing land-use applications for Species at Risk concerns is standard practice. These include Crown Land applications, Watercourse and Wetland Alteration applications, Mineral Exploration applications and Environmental Impact Analysis applications. The following summary highlights the number of applications for which mitigation was requested or that were rejected. Bank Swallow: 23 Bicknell's Thrush: 11 Eastern Whip-poor-will: 2 Maritime Ringlet: 1 Piping Plover: 9 Bats: 10 Wood Turtle: 16 Eastern Waterfan: 1 |
1.8 Prince Edward Island
Status summary
In Prince Edward Island (PEI), there are two species at risk with federally identified critical habitat habitat on non-federal lands and three species with federally identified critical habitat only on federal land to which this report relates (see Annex A8). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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 Wildlife Conservation 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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for specific species during this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for multiple species during this reporting period. |
1.9 Nova Scotia
Status summary
In Nova Scotia, there are 20 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands and one species with federally identified critical habitat only on federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A9). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, critical habitat for three new species (Eastern Baccharis, Sweet Pepperbush and Tall Beakrush) was identified on non-federal lands within Nova Scotia. As this critical habitat is newly identified, no protection actions for these species occured during this reporting period. There have been no modifications to legislation which applies to species at risk within this reporting period.
The Endangered Species Act (NS ESA) covers 20 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 NS ESA has prohibitions against the destruction of residence such as nests or hibernacula, including dwellings that are anthropogenic structures. The NS ESA 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 the NB ESA.
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.
Work within priority places is ongoing and detailed information on actions carried out for each project will be included in the April 2023 - September 2023 reporting period to coincide with the timing of project reporting.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for specific species during this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Stewardship |
All Annex A9 species |
Nova Scotia partnered and supported Clean Annapolis River Project and the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association on their Nova Scotia Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment Tool that allow landowners to confidentially enter their property information to generate a report outlining beneficial management practices most relevant to their farm. |
1.10 Newfoundland and Labrador
Status summary
In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are 11 species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A10). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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 ten 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 NFL ESA 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.
There are no Pan-Canadian Approach Priority Places within this province.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No content on the steps and actions taken for specific species was provided for this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No content on the steps and actions taken for multiple species was provided for this 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 the Yukon, there are two species at risk with identified critical habitat on non-federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A11). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was identified on non-federal lands within 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.
Protected areas in the Yukon can prevent some disturbance due to human activity in certain critical habitat, while areas that have not yet been designated may have interim protection through land withdrawals via land use plans or Yukon First Nation Final Agreements. Moreover, regional land use plans contribute to conservation of species at risk habitat in the Yukon in certain areas. Approved land use plans are implemented through Yukon First Nation Final Agreements and the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment 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.
There is no critical habitat on non-federal land in this Pan-Canadian Approach Priority Place within this territory.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for specific species during this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for multiple species during this reporting period. |
2.2 Northwest Territories
Status summary
In Northwest Territories (NWT) there are three species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands and three species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A12). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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 Caribou (Boreal population). The NWT SARA 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.
There are no Pan-Canadian Approach Priority Place within this territory.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Agreements or easements |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
The interim Wek’èezhìı Boreal Caribou Range Plan is being implemented. Work to support the development of the final Wek’èezhìı, Gwich’in, Inuvialuit, Sahtú and Southern NWT boreal caribou range plans continues. The Wek’èezhìı management class map, updated to better reflect Indigenous Knowledge, has been completed. A draft management class map was developed for the Southern NWT and is currently under review by the working group. |
Protected areas |
Caribou (Boreal population) |
At the 15th United Nations Convention on Biodiversity (COP15) in December 2022, the Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government, NWT and Canada signed a Letter of Intent to advance the Sahtú K’aowe Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) and enhance the conservation and stewardship of the Great Bear Lake watershed. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for multiple species during this reporting period. |
2.3 Nunavut
Status summary
In Nunavut, there are two species at risk with federally identified critical habitat on non-federal lands and one species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands to which this report relates (see Annex A13). From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, no additional critical habitat was 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.
In addition, the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) leads the development of the Nunavut Land Use Plan (NLUP), an obligation under the Nunavut Agreement. Through its provisions, the NLUP is another legislative tool that could support the protection of critical habitat if the three approving Parties (Government of Canada, Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated) came to agreement. In July 2021, NPC released a new version of the draft NLUP.
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.
There is no Pan-Canadian Approach Priority Place within this territory.
The following section highlights the actions taken for species at risk critical habitat protection within the designated reporting period.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for specific species during this reporting period. |
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
All |
Multiple species |
No new steps and actions were taken for multiple species during this reporting period. |
3. Other collaborative and federal protection of critical habitat
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
Legislative or regulatory |
Migratory Birds |
The Minister of Environment published a statement under s. 58(5.2)(b) of SARA in December 2022, describing how critical habitat identified for species (A14) that are both a migratory bird protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) and listed on Schedule 1 of SARA as endangered, threatened or extirpated are protected on non-federal lands in Canada. |
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, National Parks, and Rouge National Urban Park). 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. In addition to regulatory tools mentioned above, ECCC also takes a stewardship approach to support critical habitat protection on federal lands. The Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program (CHIP), established in 2020, is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) of ECCC. This program provides funding to federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations for projects aimed at the recovery of Canada's species at risk through the restoration and conservation of their critical habitat on federally owned or administered lands.
PC administers more than 464,000 km2 of lands and waters in Canada and protects species at risk in these places. In addition to implementing SARA, PC has a range of legislative tools that protect species at risk and their critical habitat. For example, in national parks, PC uses the Canada National Parks Act and other legislation like the Impact Assessment Act and their associated regulations provide special protection to species at risk through mechanisms like zoning, designation of “Environmentally Sensitive Areas” and seasonal closures. Ecological integrity is the first priority in managing national parks which includes the protection of species at risk and their critical habitat.
The following section summarizes the actions and measures taken by both ECCC and PC for the protection of critical habitat for terrestrial species at risk. This section includes information for the reporting period of October 2022 to March 2023.
| Category | Species | Details |
|---|---|---|
SARA SS.58(2) Description in the Canada Gazette (Legislative or Regulatory) |
Barn Owl, Western population Caribou (Boreal population) Desert Nightsnake Great Basin Gophersnake Okanagan Efferia Olive Clubtail Peary Caribou Piping Plover, melodus subspecies Western Rattlesnake |
During this reporting period, ECCC led the completion of seven descriptions of critical habitat for Barn Owl, Western population, Caribou (Boreal population), Desert Nightsnake, Great Basin Gophersnake, Okanagan Efferia, Olive Clubtail, Peary Caribou, Piping Plover, melodus subspecies and Western Rattlesnake published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. |
SARA SS.58(2) Description in the Canada Gazette (Legislative or Regulatory) |
Hoptree Borer Peary Caribou Piping Plover, melodus subspecies |
During this reporting period, Parks Canada led the completion of three descriptions of critical habitat for Hoptree Borer, Peary Caribou and Piping Plover, melodus subspecies published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. |
Annex A – lists of species with critical habitat identified on non federally administered lands by province/territory
A1 – Species with critical habitat identified in British Columbia
Audouin’s Night-stalking Tiger Beetle
Bank Swallow
Barn Owl, Western population
Batwing Vinyl Lichen
Bear’s-foot Sanicle
Bearded Owl-clover
Behr’s Hairstreak
Blue-grey Taildropper
Bog Bird’s-foot Trefoil
Branched Phacelia
Brook Spike-primrose
California Buttercup
Caribou (Boreal population)
Cliff Paintbrush
Coast Microseris
Coastal Giant Salamander
Coastal Scouler’s Catchfly
Coastal Vesper Sparrow
Contorted-pod Evening-primrose
Crumpled Tarpaper Lichen
Deltoid Balsamroot
Dense-flowered Lupine
Dense Spike-primrose
Desert Nightsnake
Dromedary Jumping-slug
Dun Skipper, vestris subspecies
Dwarf Sandwort**
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
Howell’s Triteleia
Kellogg’s Rush
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
Okanagan Efferia
Olive Clubtail
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 Aple Moss
Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog
Roell's Brotherella Moss
Rosy Owl-clover
Rusty Cord-moss
Sage Thrasher
Sand-verbena Moth
Scarlett Ammannia
Seaside Birds-foot Lotus**
Seaside Bone Lichen
Seaside Centipede 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
Toothcup (Southern Mountain population)
Townsend’s Mole
Vancouver Island Marmot
Victoria’s Owl-clover
Water-plantain Buttercup
Western Painted Turtle (Pacific Coast population)
Western Rattlesnake
Western Tiger Salamander (Southern Mountain population)
White Meconella
Williamson's Sapsucker
Woodland Caribou (Southern Mountain population)
Yellow-breasted Chat, auricollis subspecies (Southern Mountain population)
Yellow Montane Violet, praemorsa subspecies
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.
A2 – Species with critical habitat identified in Alberta
Banff Springs Snail**
Bank Swallow
Bolander’s Quillwort**
Caribou (Boreal population)*
Dusky Dune Moth
Five-spotted Bogus Yucca Moth
Gold-edged Gem
Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies*
Little Brown Myotis
Loggerhead Shrike, Prairie subspecies
Non-pollinating Yucca Moth
Northern Myotis
Ord’s Kangaroo Rat* Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies*
Porsild’s Bryum*
Red Knot, rufa subspecies (Tierra del Fuego/Patagonia population)
Slender Mouse-ear-cress*
Small-flowered Sand-verbena*
Smooth Goosefoot
Soapweed*
Tiny Cryptantha*
Western Harvest Mouse dychei subspecies**
Western Spiderwort*
Woodland Caribou (Southern Mountain population)*
Yucca Moth
* Species listed provincially under Alberta’s Wildlife Regulations, prescribed as endangered species.
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.
A3 – Species with critical habitat identified in Saskatchewan
Bank Swallow
Black-footed Ferret*
Burrowing Owl*
Caribou (Boreal population)
Chestnut-collared Longspur
Dusky Dune Moth
Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
Gold-edged Gem
Greater Sage-Grouse, urophasianus subspecies*
Loggerhead Shrike, Prairie subspecies
Mountain Plover Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies*
Red-headed Woodpecker
Red Knot, rufa subspecies (Tierra del Fuego/Patagonia population)
Slender Mouse-ear-cress*
Small-flowered Sand-verbena*
Smooth Goosefoot
Sprague’s Pipit
Swift Fox*
Tiny Cryptantha*
Western Spiderwort*
* 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 in Manitoba
Bank Swallow
Caribou (Boreal population)*
Dusky Dune Moth*
Eastern Whip-poor-will*
Fascicled Ironweed*
Gattinger's Agalinis*
Gold-edged Gem*
Golden-winged Warbler*
Least Bittern*
Little Brown Myotis*
Northern Myotis*
Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies Poweshiek Skipperling*
Red-headed Woodpecker*
Red Knot, rufa subspecies (Tierra del Fuego/Patagonia population)*
Rough Agalinis*
Small White Lady's-slipper*
Smooth Goosefoot*
Western Prairie Fringed Orchid*
Western Silvery Aster*
Western Spiderwort*
White Flower Moth*
* Species listed provincially as endangered or threatened species under the ESEA regulations.
A5 – Species with critical habitat identified in Ontario
Acadian Flycatcher*
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Carolinian population)*
American Badger, jacksoni subspecies*
American Chestnut*
American Columbo*
American Gingseng*
American Water-willow*
Bank Swallow*
Bashful Bulrush*
Bent Spike-rush (Great Lakes Plains population)*
Bird’s-foot Violet*
Blanding's Turtle (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)*
Bluehearts*
Blue Racer*
Blunt-lobed Woodsia*
Bogbean Buckmoth*
Branched Bartonia*
Butler's Gartersnake*
Caribou (Boreal population)*
Cerulean Warbler*
Cherry Birch*
Colicroot*
Cucumber Tree*
Deerberry*
Dense Blazing Star*
Drooping Trillium*
Dwarf Hackberry*
Eastern Flowering Dogwood*
Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population)*
Eastern Foxsnake (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)*
Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid*
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus*
Eastern Whip-poor-will*
Engelmann’s Quillwort*
False Hop Sedge*
False Rue-anemone*
Five-lined Skink (Carolinian population)*
Forked Three-awned Grass*
Fowler's Toad*
Gattinger's Agalinis*
Golden-winged Warbler
Gray Ratsnake (Carolinian population)*
Gray Ratsnake (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)*
Grey Fox*
Heart-leaved Plantain*
Hill’s Thistle*
Hine’s Emerald*
Hoary Mountain-mint*
Hoptree Borer*
Horsetail Spike-rush**
Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle*
Jefferson Salamander* Juniper Sedge*
Kentucky Coffee-tree*
Kirtland’s Warbler**
Lakeside Daisy
Large Whorled Pogonia*
Least Bittern*
Little Brown Myotis*
Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern subspecies*
Massasauga (Carolinian population)*
Massasauga (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)*
Nodding Pogonia*
Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle*
Northern Dusky Salamander (Carolinian population)*
Northern Myotis*
Pale-bellied Frost Lichen*
Pink Milkwort*
Piping Plover, circumcinctus subspecies*
Prothonotary Warbler*
Purple Twayblade*
Queensnake*
Rapids Clubtail*
Red-headed Woodpecker*
Red Knot, rufa subspecies (Tierra del Fuego/Patagonia population)*
Red Mulberry*
Riverine Clubtail (Great Lakes Plains population)*
Round-leaved Greenbrier (Great Lakes Plains population)*
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee*
Scarlett Ammannia*
Showy Goldenrod (Boreal population)*
Slender Bush-clover*
Small-flowered Lipocarpha*
Small-mouthed Salamander*
Small White Lady’s-slipper*
Small Whorled Pogonia*
Spiny Softshell*
Spoon-leaved Moss*
Spotted Turtle*
Spotted Wintergreen*
Toothcup (Great Lakes Plains population)*
Tri-coloured Bat*
Virginia Goat’s-rue*
Virginia Mallow*
Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield population)
Western Silvery Aster*
White Wood Aster*
Wild Hyacinth*
Willowleaf Aster*
Wood Poppy*
Wood Turtle*
Yellow-breasted Chat, virens subspecies*
* Species provincially listed as endangered or threatened, and receiving some habitat protection under the Ontario ESA.
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.
A6 – Species with critical habitat identified in Quebec
Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Appalachian population)*
American Gingseng*
American Water-willow*
Bank Swallow
Bicknell’s Thrush*
Blanding’s Turtle (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population)*
Blunt-lobed Woodsia*
Caribou (Atlantic-Gaspésie population)*
Caribou (Boreal population)*
Cerulean Warbler*
Eastern Waterfan
Eastern Whip-poor-will*
False Hop Sedge*
Forked Three-awned Grass*
Golden-winged Warbler*
Green-scaled Willow*
Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster*
Horned Grebe (Magdalen Islands population)*
Least Bittern* Little Brown Myotis
Loggerhead Shrike, Eastern subspecies*
Maritime Ringlet*
Mountain Holly Fern*
Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle*
Northern Myotis
Piping Plover, melodus subspecies*
Purple Twayblade*
Red-headed Woodpecker*
Red Knot, rufa subspecies (Tierra del Fuego/Patagonia population)*
Roseate Tern*
Skillet Clubtail*
Spiny Softshell*
Tri-coloured Bat*
Van Brunt's Jacob's-ladder*
Victorin's Gentian*
Western Chorus frog (Great Lakes St. Lawrence - Canadian Shield population)*
White Wood Aster*
Wood Turtle*
* 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 in New Brunswick
Bank Swallow*
Bicknell’s Thrush
Cobblestone Tiger Beetle*
Eastern Waterfan
Eastern Whip-poor-will
Furbish's Lousewort*
Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster*
Least Bittern Little Brown Myotis*
Maritime Ringlet*
Northern Myotis*
Piping Plover, melodus subspecies*
Skillet Clubtail*
Tri-coloured Bat*
Van Brunt’s Jacob’s-ladder
Wood Turtle
* Species provincially listed as endangered in Schedule A of the New Brunswick Species at Risk Act.
A8 – Species with critical habitat identified in Prince Edward Island
Bank Swallow
Gulf of St. Lawrence Aster**
Little Brown Myotis**
Northern Myotis**
Piping Plover, melodus subspecies
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.
A9 – Species with critical habitat identified in Nova Scotia
Bank Swallow*
Bicknell’s Thrush*
Blanding's Turtle (Nova Scotia population)*
Boreal Felt Lichen (Atlantic population)*
Eastern Baccharis*
Eastern Mountain Avens*
Eastern Ribbonsnake (Atlantic population)*
Eastern Waterfan*
Little Brown Myotis*
Northern Myotis*
Pink Coreopsis* Piping Plover, melodus subspecies*
Plymouth Gentian*
Roseate Tern*
Sable Island Sweat Bee**
Sweet Pepperbush
Tall Beakrush*
Thread-leaved Sundew*
Tri-coloured Bat*
Vole Ears lichen*
Wood Turtle*
* Species provincially listed as endangered or threatened wildlife species under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act.
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.
A10 – Species with critical habitat identified in Newfoundland and Labrador
American Marten (Newfoundland population)*
Bank Swallow
Barrens Willow*
Caribou (Boreal population)*
Fernald’s Braya* Little Brown Myotis*
Long’s Braya*
Northern Myotis*
Piping Plover, melodus subspecies*
Porsild’s Bryum*
Vole Ears lichen*
* Species provincially listed as endangered or threatened under the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act.
A11 – Species with critical habitat identified in Yukon
Bank Swallow
Caribou (Boreal population)
A12 – Species with critical habitat identified in the Northwest Territories
Bank Swallow
Caribou (Boreal population)
Hairy Braya
Little Brown Myotis**
Peary Caribou**
Whooping Crane**
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.
A13 – Species with critical habitat identified in the Nunavut
Ivory Gull
Peary Caribou**
Red Knot, rufa subspecies (Tierra del Fuego/Patagonia population)
**Species with critical habitat identified only on federal lands.