Species at Risk Act Annual Report to Parliament for 2021

Species at Risk Act annual report 2021 (PDF, 13.5 MB)

1. Introduction

Every year, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (the Minister) is required to prepare a report on the administration of the Species at Risk Act (SARA or the Act) during the preceding calendar year and table it in Parliament.

This report summarizes activities carried out in 2021 under SARA and fulfills the Minister’s obligation to report annually on the administration of the Act.

While this report covers activities from 2021, financial information is often recorded based on fiscal years (April 1 to March 31) and as such some of the content refers to fiscal year 2019-2020 or 2021-2022.

Section 126 of the Act states the report must include a summary of the following:

1. any assessments done by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and the Minister’s response to each of them;
2. the preparation and implementation of recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans;
3. all agreements made under sections 10 to 13;
4. all agreements entered into or renewed and permits issued or renewed under section 73 as well as all agreements and permits amended under section 75 or exempted under section 76;
5. enforcement and compliance actions taken, including the response to any requests for investigation;
6. regulations and emergency orders made under SARA; and
7. any other matters that the Minister considers relevant.

1.1. Background on SARA

SARA is the Government’s key legislative tool for assessment, listing, recovery planning, protection, recovery action, and reporting on recovery for species at risk. It complements other federal conservation-related legislation, such as the Fisheries Act and the Canada National Parks Act, which all lay the groundwork for conserving and protecting Canada’s biological diversity, and fulfills the Government of Canada’s international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The purposes of the Act 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
• to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened

The Act establishes a process for conducting scientific assessments of the status of individual wildlife species and a mechanism for listing extirpated, endangered, threatened and special-concern species. SARA also includes requirements for the protection, recovery and management of listed wildlife species, and their critical habitats^{Footnote 1}  and residences^{Footnote 2} .

1.2. Implementation of SARA

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change (the Minister) is responsible for the overall administration of SARA, except insofar as the Act gives responsibility to another minister (that is, another competent minister).

The Parks Canada Agency (Parks Canada), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), often referred to as the “competent” departments, share responsibility for the implementation of SARA. The ministers responsible for these organizations are known as the “competent” ministers under SARA. The Minister is responsible for both ECCC and Parks Canada.

Figure 1: Competent ministers

2. Assessment of species at risk

SARA defines the process for conducting assessments on the status of individual wildlife species. The Act separates the assessment process from the listing decisions, ensuring that scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders provide independent assessments and that decisions affecting Canadians are made by elected officials who are accountable for those decisions.

2.1. COSEWIC assessments

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is a committee of independent experts from government, academia, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. It prioritizes species for assessment and then assesses the status of wildlife species in Canada on the basis of the best available information on the biological status of a species, including scientific knowledge, community knowledge and Indigenous knowledge. COSEWIC provides assessments and supporting evidence annually to the Minister.

The federal government provides financial support to COSEWIC. ECCC provides COSEWIC with professional, technical, secretarial, clerical and other assistance via the COSEWIC Secretariat, which is housed within ECCC.

Figure 2: Categories of wildlife species status used by COSEWIC

Extinct

Wildlife species no longer exists anywhere in the world

Extirpated

Wildlife species no longer exists in the wild in Canada but exists elsewhere in the world

Endangered

Wildlife species faces imminent extirpation or extinction

Threatened

Wildlife species is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction

Special concern

Wildlife species may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats

Not at risk

A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances

Data deficient

Available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a wildlife species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the wildlife species’ risk of extinction.

Note: More information on risk categories and COSEWIC can be found online.

COSEWIC assessment process

1. selection of wildlife species requiring assessment are identified and ranked
   • these wildlife species, referred to as “candidate wildlife species” may also include species already assessed by COSEWIC as not at risk or data deficient, but where new information suggests they may be at risk
2. compilation of available data, knowledge and information
3. assessment of a wildlife species’ risk of extinction or extirpation and subsequent designation
   • assessment results are sent to the competent Minister

From 2002 to 2021, COSEWIC assessed and classified more than 1000 wildlife species. Between November 2020 and May 2021, COSEWIC assessed the status of 66 wildlife species, of which 59 are species at risk (34 terrestrial and 25 aquatic wildlife species). Two of these were of listed species, one of which, the Aweme Borer, was an assessment of Data Deficient, the other, the Red Knot, islandica subspecies was assessed as Not at Risk. Both of these are now eligible to be removed from Schedule 1. Detailed numbers of COSEWIC assessments at each stage of the listing process from 2002 to year end 2021 (assessed in batches each year), can be found in Annex 1. 

COSEWIC provided the wildlife species assessments to the Minister in October 2021. The assessments included:

• 5 wildlife species assessed as data deficient 
• 4 wildlife species assessed as not at risk 
• 57 wildlife species assessed as at risk, of which 21 were confirmed at the classification already attributed to them on Schedule 1 of SARA

Figure 3: COSEWIC wildlife species assessment results for the 2020-2021 reporting period

Note: A summary of COSEWIC’s assessments to date is available on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

ECCC, Parks Canada and DFO gather and provide scientific input and Indigenous knowledge into the assessment process through staff experts who are members of COSEWIC. These experts act independently from their organizations, and contribute information to status reports from scientific activities and surveys conducted by the competent departments. They are also involved in the peer review of COSEWIC status reports as they are being developed, along with government jurisdictions (provinces and territories), relevant Wildlife Management Boards, the relevant COSEWIC Specialist Subcommittee, recovery teams for the species (if applicable), and COSEWIC’s Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK)  Subcommittee.

DFO regularly conducts peer reviews of existing information relevant to the COSEWIC status assessment of a given species, in order to inform the COSEWIC process. The department considers data related to the status and trends of, and threats to a species inside and outside of Canadian waters, and the strengths and limitations of the information. In 2021, DFO hosted 2 peer-review meetings both for Atlantic Salmon: one reviewing the information in Maritime provinces; and the other reviewing information regarding Atlantic Salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador. The information from these meetings will contribute to the development of the status report.

ECCC also provided scientific input for status report development and in 2021, reviewed 65 status reports as they were being developed, including reports for both terrestrial and aquatic species. DFO reviewed 8 COSEWIC status reports and 1 Designatable Units (DUs) report in 2021 for aquatic wildlife species before they were finalized.

Parks Canada reviewed 45 COSEWIC status reports in 2021 as they were being developed, covering both terrestrial and aquatic species. This included providing scientific input for status report development for 29 species found in waters or on lands administered by Parks Canada.

In 2021, 38 status reports covering 47 species were brought to the spring and fall wildlife species assessment meetings for discussion. COSEWIC members from each department reviewed all of these reports in preparation for the meetings.

2.1.1. COSEWIC subcommittees

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the COSEWIC Secretariat hosted 2 wildlife species assessment meetings, 10 virtual subcommittee meetings and 3 virtual Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) Subcommittee meetings. Some COSEWIC-related activities were limited, including some planned status reports and ATK reports that were not advanced, due to COVID-19-related reasons.

COSEWIC’s Species Specialist Subcommittees (SSCs) provide species expertise to COSEWIC. Members are drawn from universities, provincial wildlife institutions, museums, Conservation Data Centres, and other sources of expertise on Canadian species including Indigenous communities. Currently, COSEWIC has 10 SSCs as follows:

• Amphibians and reptiles
• Arthropods
• Birds
• Freshwater fishes
• Marine fishes
• Marine mammals
• Molluscs
• Mosses and lichens
• Terrestrial mammals
• Vascular plants

In 2021, COSEWIC’s ATK Subcommittee activities included the following:

• completing a number of ATK reports for wildlife species, such as White Sturgeon (4 DUs) and Striped Bass (3 DUs)
• completing a special project identifying knowledge holders with information to assist with species of concern New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island
• completing an ATK Gathering Report on Steelhead Trout (all other DUs) in the Fraser River drainage basin
• completing a methodology report for Pacific Salmon to identify salmon considered at risk
• completing an ATK based threats framework to identify a methodology for collecting, documenting, and mapping threats for use by the ATK Subcommittee

There was ongoing work on prioritization and selection of wildlife species for ATK reports, as well as the review of COSEWIC status reports to ensure that available ATK is appropriately and accurately integrated.

3. Listing of species at risk

The Act establishes Schedule 1 as the official List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Species are listed as extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern.

3.1. SARA Schedule 1 current status

When SARA was proclaimed in June 2003, Schedule 1 included 233 species. Starting in 2005, species have been added to the list every year, except in 2008, 2015 and 2016. As of December 31, 2021, Schedule 1 listed a total of 640 species.

Figure 4: Number of species added to Schedule 1 or reclassified by risk status as of December 2021

Although the total number of listed species (640) is correct, the totals for each risk category (that is, extirpated, endangered, threatened and special concern) are slightly different than the actual number of species for each of the categories listed on Schedule 1 because the values presented in this table do not reflect status changes (that is, uplisting or downlisting of a species).

3.2. Listing process

The listing process refers to amendments to Schedule 1 of SARA through the addition, the reclassification, or the removal of a species from Schedule 1. Once the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard receive a COSEWIC assessment, the Minister has 90 days to post a response statement on the Species at Risk Public Registry indicating how the Minister intends to respond to each assessment and, to the extent possible, provide timelines for action and indicate the consultations that will be undertaken under the responsibility of the Minister, in advance of a listing recommendation to the Governor in Council (GiC).

Figure 5. Species listing process under SARA

The Minister receives species assessments from COSEWIC at least once per year.

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For each assessed species, the competent department(s) undertake an internal review to determine the extent of public consultation and socio-economic analysis necessary to inform the listing decision.

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Within 90 days of receipt of the species assessments prepared by COSEWIC, the Minister publishes a response statement on the SARA Public Registry that indicates how he or she intends to respond to the assessment and, to the extent possible, provides timelines for action.

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Where appropriate, the competent department(s) undertake consultations and any other relevant analysis needed to prepare the advice to the compentent ministers(s) and the Minister.

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The Minister forwards the assessment to the Governor in Council for receipt. This generally occurs within twelve months of posting the response statement unless further consultation is necessary.

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Within 9 months of receipt of the assessment, the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister (made after consulting any competent minister(s)), may decide whether to list the species under Schedule 1of SARA or refer the assessment back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration.

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Once a species is added to Schedule 1, it benefits from the applicable provisions of SARA.

Note: More information can be found on the SARA Public Registry.

3.3. Federal government response to COSEWIC assessments

The Minister provided response statements to COSEWIC's assessments in January 2022. These responses included 22 confirmations of status for species already on Schedule 1; the other 37 responses indicated that the wildlife species were eligible for addition or reclassification or removal from Schedule 1. For the terrestrial species, 16 of the 37 species required a 4-month consultation period, while 21 species required a 9-month consultation period (either because wildlife management boards were authorized by land claims agreements for that species or because longer consultations were needed to support a robust analysis of the benefits and costs).

Consultations on aquatic species are conducted separately from the response statement process. Of the 25 aquatic species included in the January 2022 response statements, 13 species required extended consultations and 6 species required normal consultations, as per the Timeline for amendments to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act policy (Listing Timelines Policy). The remaining 6 species were status confirmation that did not require consultation.

A table of the List of species for which assessments and risk status were received from COSEWIC in October 2021 can be found in the Annex of this report. There are 37 assessed terrestrial species and 26 aquatic species that according to the Listing Timelines Policy are due, but have not yet been submitted to the GiC. These appear in the Annex along with the next steps for each of the species.

3.4.  Public consultations

Public consultations provide the Minister with a better understanding of the potential social and economic impacts of possible changes to Schedule 1, and of the potential consequences of adding or not adding a species to the list. Information collected during consultations is used to inform the Minister’s recommendations to the GIC on amending Schedule 1 of SARA.

In 2021, ECCC carried out consultations for 12 terrestrial species for which status assessments had been received from COSEWIC as part of Batch 18. The document titled Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species December 2020 was posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ECCC also prolonged the consultations to provide sufficient consultation time for the 17 terrestrial species that had been part of Batch 17.

Prior to undertaking socio-economic analysis and consultations with Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the public, DFO develops science advice in the form of a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for most aquatic species that have been assessed by COSEWIC as threatened, endangered or extirpated. The scientific information in an RPA includes species status, threats and limiting factors to the survival and recovery of the species, recovery targets, and feasibility of recovery in given scenarios. The RPA is used when analyzing the socio-economic impacts of potential listing of an aquatic species under SARA during subsequent consultations, and informs the development of advice to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard regarding the listing of the aquatic species. The RPA also provides advice needed to meet other requirements of the Act, including recovery planning and permitting decisions.

In 2021, DFO held 3 RPA peer-review meetings:

• Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis): Lake Opeongo large-bodied DU and Lake Opeongo small-bodied DU (March 2021)
• Fraser River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka): 10 DUs (March 2021)
• Lake Chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta) - Updated (November 2021)

In 2021, mostly due to the COVID pandemic restrictions, listing consultations were limited. Consultations were conducted with Wildlife Management Boards on potential listing of 3 whale species found in Arctic waters. Indigenous groups, key stakeholders and provinces were consulted on the potential listing of 2 DUs of Lake Sturgeon (Western Hudson Bay and Saskatchewan – Nelson River populations). Pre-consultation engagement on listing was initiated with Hunter and Trapper Organizations and with Wildlife Management Boards on Ringed Seal.

In advance of listing recommendations being made to the GiC, there were consultation check-ins on 8 populations of Atlantic Salmon, 3 populations of Eulachon and 1 Striped Bass population.

3.5.  Listing decisions

GiC decisions on whether or not to amend Schedule 1 according to the COSEWIC assessments are published as orders amending Schedule 1 of SARA in the Canada Gazette, and include Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements. Decisions to not add a species at risk to Schedule 1 of SARA or to refer the matter back to COSEWIC are published in the Canada Gazette with an explanatory note.

Final listing decisions were made for 29 terrestrial species via 3 orders published in the Canada Gazette, Part II in April, August and September of 2021. These orders added 19 species to Schedule 1 and changed the status of 9 species (5 downlist to a lower risk category, 3 uplist to a higher risk category and 1 delist) that were already on Schedule 1. One species, the Rusty Cord-moss, was referred back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration as a result of feedback received during the 30-day comment period after publication in Canada Gazette, Part I. In 2021, no final listing decisions were made for aquatic species.

In 2021, on the recommendation of the Minister, the GiC referred the assessment of Striped Bass (St. Lawrence River population) back to COSEWIC for further information. This Order was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II in July 2021.^{Note de bas de page 3}

4. Recovery actions for species at risk

Under SARA, the competent ministers must prepare: a) recovery strategies and action plans for the species listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened; and b) management plans for those listed as special concern.

Recovery strategies identify, among other things, threats to the survival of the species and its habitat, critical habitat to the extent possible based on the best available information. In addition, they set population and distribution objectives for the species. Action plans specify the projects or activities required to meet the objectives outlined in the recovery strategy. Management plans include measures for species listed as special concern.

Recovery and management planning documents are developed in cooperation with federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the public. The proposed recovery strategies, action plans and management plans are posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry for a 60-day public comment period. The competent ministers consider comments and make changes where appropriate. The final recovery strategy, action plan or management plan, as applicable, is to be published on the public registry within 30 days after the expiry of the public comment period. The competent ministers must report on the implementation of a recovery strategy or management plan within 5 years after it is included in the public registry and in every subsequent 5-year period until its objectives have been achieved (or in the case of recovery strategies, the species’ recovery is no longer feasible). For action plans, only 1 report on progress is required 5 years after the plan comes into effect. The implementation reports give important insights into the number of recovery measures completed and the progress made on recovering species at risk.

4.1. Recovery strategies

Recovery strategies for species listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened have the following steps:

1. Identify threats to the species and its habitat
2. Set population and distribution objectives for the species
3. Identify critical habitat to the extent possible

* Parks Canada is also a competent department for this species, as it occurs in its lands/waters; and contributed to the development of the recovery strategy.

In 2021, DFO, in collaboration with Parks Canada, published an implementation report on the progress of the recovery strategy for the Atlantic Salmon, inner Bay of Fundy Population. DFO, with the collaboration of Parks Canada, also published an implementation report on the progress of the recovery strategy and action plan for the Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Alberta population. Parks Canada published a report on the implementation of the recovery strategy for the Slender Popcornflower.

4.2. Action plans

An action plan identifies the conservation measures required to address the threats to the species and meet the population and distribution objectives outlined in the recovery strategy. An action plan may include identification of the species’ critical habitat, to the extent possible, based on the best available information and consistent with the recovery strategy.

* Parks Canada is also a competent department for this species, as it occurs in its lands/waters, and the agency contributed to the development of the action plan.

In 2021, Parks Canada published 5 implementation reports that demonstrate the progress made towards achieving the objectives of multi-species action plans posted on the SARA Registry in 2016-2017.

* Parks Canada develops site-specific population and distribution objectives for the portion of the species that occurs within the National Park. These objectives align with the national population and distribution objectives for the species, as defined in a recovery strategy.

4.3. Management plans

Species of special concern are those that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. SARA requires competent ministers to prepare management plans for species of special concern. A management plan differs from a recovery strategy and an action plan, in that it identifies conservation measures needed to prevent a species of special concern from becoming threatened or endangered, but does not identify critical habitat. Where appropriate, these management plans may be prepared for multiple species on an ecosystem or landscape level.

* Parks Canada is also a competent department for this species, as it occurs in its lands/waters, and therefore contributed towards the development of the action plan.

4.4. Critical habitat

SARA defines “critical habitat” as the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species and that is identified as the species’ critical habitat in the recovery strategy or in an action plan for the species. 

* Final recovery strategy and action plan
** Amended final recovery strategy

4.4.1 Critical habitat descriptions and protection orders

Descriptions of critical habitat

* ECCC contributed to the publication of the description of critical habitat.

Protection orders

On February 17, 2021, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change made an order to protect the critical habitat of Fernald's Braya on federally administered lands, pursuant to section 58 of SARA. The ECCC Minister also published 2 reports on steps taken for protection of critical habitat for 234 terrestrial species at risk with critical habitat identified on non-federal lands for the July 2021 report and 248 terrestrial species for the December 2021 report.

In 2021, Parks Canada collaborated with either ECCC or DFO to publish joint ministerial orders to protect critical habitat in the Canada Gazette for the following 3 species in 4 national historic sites and 1 site under the Agency’s administration:

• Bull Trout – Saskatchewan/Nelson River population (Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, and Ya-Ha-Tinda Ranch in Alberta)
• Copper Redhorse (Saint-Ours Canal National Historic Site in Québec)
• Fernald’s Braya (Port au Choix National Historic Site in Newfoundland and Labrador)

In addition in 2021, Parks Canada published 1 critical habitat protection statement:

• Sharp-tailed Snake in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in British Columbia

In addition, in 2021 DFO published 1 ministerial order to protect critical habitat for the following aquatic species at risk:

• Copper Redhorse

To help in further protecting aquatic species at risk, DFO encourages those who are considering a project to consult the Aquatic species at risk map to assist in project planning.

The provinces and territories are primarily responsible for the management of non-federal lands, natural resources and wildlife located on those lands. This includes the protection of the critical habitat of species at risk on non-federal lands (other than aquatic species) and implementation of protection measures through their own legislation and programs.

4.5. Emergency Orders and Imminent Threat Assessments

Under section 80(1) of SARA, the GiC may, on the recommendation of the competent Minister, make an emergency order to provide for the protection of a listed wildlife species.

In 2021, the Government of Canada, following the advice of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, put in place an emergency order to protect the Western Chorus Frog in Longueuil, Quebec. The order covers 20 hectares of Western Chorus Frog critical habitat and prohibits activities that could harm the species. The order was informed by a threat assessment on whether the Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes, St. Lawrence-Canadian Shield population) was facing threats to its survival or recovery, based on the best available information, including the most recent science and all data and documentation provided by the Government of Quebec, the City of Longueuil, and non-governmental organizations. On November 22, 2021, the Minister announced that he was recommending to the GiC that an emergency order be issued in Longueuil, Quebec, to protect the Western Chorus Frog from threats to its recovery posed by urban development. The Minister also considered whether there were threats to the survival of the species and concluded that such threats did not exist.

In 2021, ECCC, with Parks Canada, published the full imminent threat assessment for Wood Bison to determine whether the species is facing imminent threats to their survival or recovery, based on the best available information and incorporating Indigenous knowledge. Based on this threat assessment, the Minister determined that Wood Bison are facing imminent threats to their recovery. The Minister did not consider however that threats to the survival of the species exist at this time.

4.6.  Recovery activities

In supporting species at risk recovery, federal government biologists across Canada led or supported dozens of activities with Indigenous partners, stakeholders and Canadians, including research, habitat restoration or enhancement initiatives, monitoring, assessment, and more.

In 2021, ECCC helped advance recovery activities for a wide variety of terrestrial species at risk, including the 6 priority species, with conservation measures focused on research and monitoring, partnership development, conservation planning and implementation of conservation agreements under SARA.

In 2021, Parks Canada implemented recovery measures in and around the lands and waters it administers, including research, restoration activities, and public outreach and education. As part of the work under the Nature Legacy for Canada Initiative, Parks Canada allocated approximately $5.48M in 2021-2022 to over 45 projects across the country to implement recovery measures identified in SARA action plans. This included conducting several projects in partnership with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, private citizens and Indigenous communities. These projects contributed to recovering, restoring and enhancing ecosystems and species at risk across Canada, such as:

• removing industrial waste to restore Peary Caribou habitat in Nunavut Field Unit
• Kejimkujik ParticipAction: creating meaningful connections through species at risk conservation actions
• conserving and recovering Westslope Cutthroat Trout at Banff National Park
•  restoring savannah ecosystems at Point Pelee National Park
• seeding or planting over 90 hectares in Grasslands National Park with native vegetation to enhance habitat for Greater Sage-grouse
• creating artificial hibernacula and nesting mounds in Point Pelee National Park for the endangered Eastern Foxsnake
• banding and studying Piping Plover chicks at Prince Edward Island National Park, in collaboration with the Canadian Wildlife Service, to gain a better understanding of their habitats and migration patterns
• re-creating suitable microhabitat conditions for Five-lined Skink in Thousand Islands National Park, by restoring 7 rock barrens in the park

Among the activities undertaken by DFO, a Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund (WSGF) in August 2021 supported the investigation and adoption of whalesafe gear. The WSGF is providing up to $20 million over 2 years to support the development, purchase, and testing of both rope-on-demand gear that removes vertical line from the water thus preventing whale encounters, and low-breaking strength gear to allow whales to break free if they do become entangled. In 2021, the first round of funding supported 24 projects, reflecting the great variety of fishery operations in eastern Canada, and the many innovations that are being developed.

In addition, DFO officials and external partner organizations, under the umbrella of the Marine Mammal Response Program, carried out 296 marine mammal responses nationally in 2021 for species at risk including:

• disentangling whales from fishing gear
• refloating live stranded animals
• reuniting stranded animals with their pods
• warming cold, stunned sea turtles
• performing necropsies on dead animals to determine cause of death

The information collected during these response activities helps DFO in monitoring and evaluating the threat level from these forms of harm, and finding ways to reduce entanglements and vessel collisions.

4.6.1. Agreements and collaboration

The implementation of conservation measures, which were committed to under 6 signed SARA s.11 conservation agreements for Boreal Caribou with Alberta, Cold Lake First Nation, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and Yukon Territory (+Gwich’in Tribal Council and First Nation Nacho-Nkyak Dun), continued throughout 2021 with some delays in implementation of activities occurring due to COVID-19. These agreements include measures such as: habitat restoration, population management, monitoring and commitments to develop and implement range plans. Some range plans were developed or finalized in 2021. In addition, the implementation of the Cost-Sharing Understanding Concerning the Implementation of the Cooperation Agreement for the Protection and Recovery of Species at Risk in Quebec Applied to Boreal Caribou and its Habitat continued. Negotiations were further advanced for conservation agreements in support of Boreal Caribou recovery with the Government of Manitoba, the Government of Ontario, and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation. Negotiations also advanced with the Government of British Columbia to include caribou conservation and recovery measures as an annex to a broader Nature Agreement with the province.

Conservation measures under 2 SARA s.11 conservation agreements for Southern Mountain Caribou in British Columbia, with British Columbia, Saulteau First Nations and West Moberly First Nations, also continued to be implemented, including: Indigenous engagement, monitoring, herd planning, habitat protection, maternal penning, predator management and habitat restoration, with some delays in implementation of activities occurring due to COVID-19.

4.6.2. Habitat Stewardship Program

The Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP) was established in 2000 and is administered by ECCC (for terrestrial species) and DFO (for aquatic species) on a regional basis. The objectives of HSP are to:

• support habitat projects that benefit species at risk and prevent others from becoming a conservation concern
• enable Canadians to become actively involved in stewardship projects for species at risk which will result in tangible and measurable conservation benefits
• improve the scientific, sociological and economic understanding of stewardship as a conservation tool

HSP is an application-based program that focuses on projects addressing the recovery of species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of SARA. Results are focused mainly on the following:

• important habitat for terrestrial species at risk recovery is secured or otherwise protected
• important species at risk habitat is improved (restored/enhanced) and/or managed to meet species’ recovery needs
• threats to species at risk and/or their habitat that are caused by human activities are stopped, removed and/or mitigated
• strategies, guidelines and best practices are developed
• surveys, inventories and monitoring provide information
• outreach is used to raise awareness and educate
• project benefits are sustained over time by engaging Canadians (landowners, resource users, volunteers) to participate directly in activities that support the recovery of species at risk

The most complete data available for the HSP at the end of 2021 is for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, 42 new projects and 40 previously-approved multi-year projects involving 68 unique funding recipients contributed to recovery efforts of SARA-listed terrestrial species across Canada. Of the 42 new projects, 41 addressed terrestrial priority species. Thirty-eight projects addressed priority sectors and/or threats specifically. A total of $4.6 million was provided to these 82 projects, with an additional $5.1 million (cash and in-kind) leveraged from partners. This provided support to stewardship efforts across Canada that resulted in the securement and protection of land, including protection through legally binding means (for example, acquisition, conservation easements). Non-legally binding protection was also put in place through the use of written conservation agreements with landowners. Since the program’s inception, the HSP has supported the legal protection of 219 969 hectares of land, as well as the improvement of 480 961 hectares of land and 3333 kilometres of shoreline.

DFO provides funding for both SARA-listed aquatic species at risk and those that have been assessed as at risk by COSEWIC, with a priority on listed species. The HSP for Aquatic Species at Risk provides funding for projects that contribute directly to the recovery of endangered, threatened, and other aquatic species at risk and encourages engagement of Canadians from all walks of life in conservation actions to benefit aquatic species. Activities that respond to program priorities are reviewed regionally, with provinces and territories’ input sought, and recommended for funding in 6 DFO regions: Pacific, Ontario and Prairie, Quebec, Gulf, Maritimes, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

In 2020-2021, the HSP for Aquatic Species at Risk invested nearly $4 million dollars in new and previously approved multi-year projects. These contributions provided support to a variety of stewardship efforts across Canada including those that resulted in 982 outreach events, 110 habitat/species surveys/inventories, improvement of habitat, and had 335 partners engaged and involved in projects.

4.6.3. Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

Established in 2004, the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) is an application-based program delivered by ECCC (terrestrial species stream) and DFO (aquatic species stream). The Act recognizes the critical role that Indigenous peoples play as long-standing stewards of lands, waters, ice and wildlife across Canada. Further, SARA’s provisions underscore the need to include First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples’ knowledge in the assessment of species that may be at risk, as well as in the development and implementation of recovery measures. AFSAR focuses on strengthening capacity in Indigenous communities to lead the stewardship of species at risk in support of broader SARA implementation.

Terrestrial Stream projects achieve conservation results by stopping, removing and/or mitigating threats to at-risk species; protecting, improving or managing critical and important habitat; and supporting the use of Indigenous knowledge, where appropriate, in the development of conservation actions and recovery documents. Additionally, many projects proactively prevent species, other than species at risk, from becoming a conservation concern.

During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the AFSAR Terrestrial Stream provided:

• $2.5 million to 23 new projects and 2 previously-approved multi-year projects
• leveraged additional funds that exceeded $890,000 (cash and in‑kind)
• involved 23 Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations as unique recipients

In Budget 2021, the Government announced the Enhanced Nature Legacy which included $7.9M over 5 years in additional funding for the AFSAR Aquatic Stream (fiscal years 2021-2026). 2021-2022 was the first year in which these funds were made available to recipients, and for that year represented the addition of $1,650,000 in funding to support the following:

• expansion/enhancement of current AFSAR project activities – this can mean additional survey sites, replicates, interviews, staff time, etc. that might be required to widen the scope of activities that are or will be underway this fiscal year
• new activities that support the original objectives of the project – if the current project can be improved through the addition of a new activity that supports the objectives of the existing project/ target species
• new activities that expand the objectives/target species of the project – if the current project can benefit more species at risk or address more recovery actions through addition of activities that expand on the objectives of the current project
• equipment and supplies that support community capacity to carry out current and future species at risk recovery work, including items that would support any of the above items

During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the AFSAR Aquatic Stream:

• provided over $2.2 million towards 31 new projects and 11 previously-approved multi-year projects
• leveraged additional funds that exceeded $1.8 million (cash and in-kind)
• involved 33 Indigenous organizations and communities as recipients

4.6.4. Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program

Established in 2020 and administered by ECCC, the Critical Habitat Interdepartmental Program (CHIP) is a directed funding program that provides financial support to federal government departments, agencies and Crown corporations (other than ECCC, Parks Canada, and DFO) for projects aimed at the recovery of species at risk through the conservation and restoration of their habitat. Funded projects primarily occur on federally owned and/or administered lands in Canada and directly relate to the implementation of priority activities identified in recovery strategies or action plans of targeted species. One of the CHIP’s goals is to increase compliance to SARA on federal lands, as well as encourage a proactive approach to the conservation and recovery of species at risk and the protection and restoration of their critical habitat.

In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the CHIP supported 10 projects led by 6 federal departments and 1 Crown corporation. Collectively, $460,468.71 in CHIP funding and $340,645.70 in leveraged funds (cash and in-kind) from project leads and other partners, supported species at risk conservation and recovery and critical habitat restoration and protection efforts for 44 SARA-listed species, including 22 CHIP priority species, representing an increase of 9 and 6 species since 2020-2021, respectively. Funded projects delivered on objectives that included critical habitat identification through surveys, critical habitat restoration through the removal of invasive species, replanting of native plants and establishment of a field seed bank, SAR population surveys, species reintroduction and monitoring, community outreach, and research to increase scientific knowledge pertaining to SAR and their critical habitat.

4.7. Outreach and education

All Canadians have a role to play in the conservation of wildlife species and their habitats, and education and awareness is essential.

ECCC produces and delivers information in various forms to educate Canadians about the role they can play in protecting species at risk and their habitats. In addition, ECCC continues to educate Canadians about species at risk through its long-standing partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation in delivering the Hinterland Who’s Who wildlife education program, and by developing and publishing species profiles on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Parks Canada continues to promote species at risk protection through the Integrated Compliance and Law Enforcement Planning Process. The process maintains its focus on proactive communication with visitors to highlight the connection between their actions and the effect they can have on the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitat.

In addition, Parks Canada has a number of outreach programs that focus on reaching youth, families and new Canadians in urban areas, in order to increase awareness, understanding, and foster support for species at risk protection and recovery. As part of ongoing collaborations with education partners in order to leverage their digital outreach expertise to schools, Parks Canada again collaborated with École en réseau, a virtual learning network and partner based out of Quebec. In 2021, 4 programs focused on species at risk: bats, Wood Bison and Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon. Audiences reached over 7725 students and teachers. Parks Canada also partnered with Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants and The Royal Canadian Geographical Society to present the Cross-Canada Virtual Road Trip (scroll down on the website to view the Saguenay−St. Lawrence Marine Park video). Species at risk like Killer Whales, Beluga Whales and caribou were highlighted and over 17 275 students were reached.

The Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors participated in conservation projects and highlighted them on @pcParksLife and @pcParcsàvie social media channels. Our Parks Canada Campus Club Volunteer Leaders also participated in virtual learning opportunities and participated in activities to increase their awareness about Parks Canada conservation projects. Conservation projects often relate to species at risk.

To support species at risk and ecosystem conservation, the Parks Canada National Merchandise Program annually reinvests proceeds from the online sale of official merchandise. In 2021, purchases supported the scientific monitoring of the St. Lawrence Estuary population of Beluga Whales within Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.

DFO’s efforts in the areas of outreach and education included hosting several virtual and in-person information sessions throughout the country in addition to the production of materials for educational purposes and the promotion of stewardship measures. From January 2021 to March 2021, DFO held a series of virtual information sessions on aquatic species at risk present in Manitoba. The sessions addressed threats to species’ survival and promoted Grants and Contributions programs for aquatic species at risk. Individual sessions were held with Indigenous groups, stewardship groups, environmental organizations, academia, and other levels of government.

In 2021, DFO continued and expanded work with Ingenium (Canadian Museum of Science and Technology) to develop and share educational materials to raise awareness and promote stewardship measures targeting various aquatic species at risk. This includes the addition of a life-sized White Shark model named ‘Blazes’, measuring over 10 feet in length and designed to hang from the ceiling, and the production of a suite of bilingual species identification cards containing original artwork and posters for schools and other partners highlighting whales, sea turtles and sharks.

Staff from DFO’s Species at Risk Program attended the “Explore Your Own Backyard Community Event” hosted by Burntcoat Head Park to raise awareness of the Atlantic Mud-piddock, a threatened mollusc whose Canadian distribution is limited to the Minas Basin in Nova Scotia. The species is found in tide pools throughout the park, and is vulnerable to recreational activities in its habitat. DFO staff introduced over 100 visitors to the species, discussed its threats and ongoing recovery measures, and distributed educational materials.

4.8. Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators for species at risk

Healthy wildlife populations are an important part of biodiversity. In Canada, some species that have experienced population declines or are naturally rare are now in danger of disappearing. Recovery or management actions are put in place to protect wildlife species that are identified as being at risk and are in danger of disappearing. Ensuring the successful recovery or management of a species at risk can be a long-term process involving various measures to stop or reverse the decline in the species and improve the likelihood that it will persist in the wild. The following summary is taken from the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) program and results are available on the Environmental indicators website.

4.8.1. Species at risk population trends indicator

The Species at risk population trends indicator provides a preliminary assessment of whether the population (how many) and distribution (how they are spread out) trends of species at risk listed under the Species at Risk Act are consistent with the recovery or management objectives.

In order to assess whether species at risk show progress towards their recovery or management objectives, 2 conditions must be met:

• a recovery strategy or management plan has been posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry
• the species has been reassessed by COSEWIC or there is a report on the progress on recovery

There are 239 species that meet both of these conditions. For 9 of the 239 species, recovery is considered not feasible; for 19 species, there are no population and distribution objectives in their recovery strategy or management plan; and for 70 species, there is insufficient information in their reassessment or report on the progress on recovery to determine population and distribution trends. Therefore, the results are based on the remaining 141 species.

Of the 141 species for which trends could be determined:

• 58 species (41%) showed progress towards their population and distribution objectives
• 67 species (48%) did not show progress
• 16 species (11%) showed mixed evidence, meaning that some information suggested improving trends, but that there was also some evidence of decline

Figure 6: Progress of species at risk towards their population and distribution objectives, Canada, May 2021

Note: In addition to the 141 species considered in the figure, there are 70 species with population and distribution objectives that had reassessments that did not contain enough information to determine trends. Information on these species can be found in the detailed data table. "Mixed evidence" means that some information suggests improving trends, but there is also some evidence of decline.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Secretariat (2021).

Recovery of species is affected by many factors, including the species' life span, reproductive cycle, the state of their habitat and threats such as habitat loss and pollution. Results should be interpreted with caution as it can take many years for species to show progress towards their population and distribution objectives. Examples of challenges in this regard include the long timeframe involved as it can take several generations for species to respond to management and recovery actions and the need for enough time to collect and assess information. Results should not be interpreted as a measure of success with regard to the recovery of species or maintaining species until sufficient time has passed to allow species to respond to actions taken and to collect enough information for assessment.

4.8.2. Changes in the status of wildlife species at risk indicator

Identifying wildlife species at risk is the first step towards protecting them. Wildlife species previously designated as being at risk are reassessed, usually after 10 years, to determine if there is a change in status. The Changes in the status of wildlife species at risk indicator reports on changes in wildlife species designations for wildlife species assessed by COSEWIC.

Of the 514 wildlife species that have been reassessed since 1982, and for which sufficient data are available to determine if there had been a change in status:

• 329 (64%) show no change in status
• 96 (19%) are now in a lower risk category
• 89 (17%) are now in a higher risk category (Figure 7)

Figure 7: Changes in the risk of disappearance of wildlife species at risk from Canada, May 2021

Note: In this analysis, wildlife species refers to a species, subspecies or a genetically or geographically distinct population. Wildlife species disappearance may refer to extinction or extirpation (an extirpated species no longer occurs in the wild in Canada). Lower risk consists of species reassessed as no longer at risk, as well as species in a lower risk category compared to the previous assessment.

Source: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, May 2021

In November 2020 and May 2021, 38 wildlife species were reassessed, of which 25 had no change in their status. Of the 13 wildlife species that had a change in status, 8 were classified to a lower risk category, and 5 were classified to a higher risk category.  

• The species classified to a lower risk category:
  • The Red Knot islandica subspecies changed in status from Special Concern to no longer at risk. This status change was because past population declines have stopped and previous threats from shellfish harvesting in Europe have been reduced.
  • The Ferruginous Hawk, Lakeside Daisy, Canada Warbler and Barn Swallow changed in status from Threatened to Special Concern.
  • The Cobblestone Tiger Beetle changed in status from Endangered to Special Concern.
  • The Seaside Centipede Lichen and Beluga Whale (Eastern Hudson Bay population) changed in status from Endangered to Threatened.
• The species classified to a higher risk category:
  • The Short-eared Owl and Yelloweye Rockfish (Pacific Ocean outside waters and Pacific Ocean inside waters populations) changed in status from Special Concern to Threatened.
  • The Ross's Gull and Beluga Whale (Cumberland Sound population) changed in status from Threatened to Endangered.

Wildlife species may take a long time to recover, and some wildlife species are naturally rare in Canada. A change in status may occur only after significant biological change (for example, increases in abundance, population size or geographical range) has been detected. For these reasons, relatively few wildlife species should be expected to show changes in risk level when reassessed. Changes in risk level can be a result of improved information rather than actual changes in the condition of the wildlife species. This is more likely to occur for wildlife species that have improved in status than for wildlife species that have declined.

5. Enforcement

ECCC, Parks Canada and DFO work jointly and in partnership with Indigenous, provincial, territorial and international authorities to protect SARA-listed species and their critical habitat.

ECCC Wildlife enforcement officers are responsible for ensuring compliance with SARA, as well as related conservation statutes: the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA), the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA), the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and the provisions of the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act concerning wildlife. In general, these statutes aim to protect species at risk, migratory birds, and terrestrial species on federal lands. Throughout Canada, ECCC Wildlife enforcement officers enforce the prohibitions, protection orders and permits found in these Acts.

In 2021, ECCC operated with 59 Wildlife enforcement officers to ensure compliance with SARA and related conservation statutes. These officers have jurisdiction in ECCC’s 146 protected areas which include National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. ECCC’s enforcement focused on protecting SARA-listed species assessed at high risk due to threats to their recovery, survival or conservation. As part of its enforcement priority setting, the department uses a risk-based approach which includes the development of risk rankings and threat risk assessments. As such, enforcement employed targeted protection of certain species and their habitats or critical habitat as identified in SARA recovery strategies and protection orders. Wildlife enforcement officers concentrated on protecting species’ critical habitats on federal lands (for example: Roseate Tern, Boreal Caribou) and habitats on non-federal lands via emergency protection orders (for example: Greater Sage-grouse and Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence — Canadian Shield Population)). In protected areas, wildlife enforcement officers dedicated efforts to species at greatest threat such as the Piping Plover, Bank Swallow, Red Knot, Eastern Ribbonsnake, Great Basin Gophersnake, Behr’s Hairstreak, Yellow-breasted Chat and various turtles/snakes. In addition, site visits verified compliance with SARA permits.

In 2021, under SARA, ECCC wildlife enforcement officiers:

• conducted 79 inspections under SARA
• issued 5 warnings and opened 5 new investigations
• concluded 2 prosecutions totalling $21,000 in monetary penalties

Prosecutions

In 2021, 2 prosecutions involved fines for destruction of Bank Swallows (Riparia riparia) nests, a federally protected migratory bird listed as threatened under SARA. In both instances, wildlife enforcement officers discovered that nesting sites, some of which were active, had been destroyed with heavy machinery. The first case found the owner of a sand pit in Nova Scotia guilty of destroying Bank Swallow habitat. He was ordered to pay a monetary penalty of $5,000 and an additional fine of $1,000 pursuant to section 97(1.1) of SARA. The second prosecution concerned a Quebec excavation company that pleaded guilty to 2 counts under the Act for destroying the nests of Bank Swallows. The company was found to have harmed individuals of a listed wildlife species and damaged or destroyed the residence of 1 or more individuals of a listed wildlife species. This led to a court conviction totaling $15,000. Funds will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund and may be used for the purpose of conducting research for the protection of Bank Swallows.

DFO’s enforcement actions for species at risk are carried out by fishery officers who have been trained and designated as enforcement officers under SARA. They incorporate SARA enforcement activities alongside their duties under the Fisheries Act and other federal statutes and regulations. The Nature Legacy Initiative has enabled DFO’s Conservation & Protection (C&P) program to increase its capacity to verify compliance with, and enforce SARA in freshwater ecosystems from Ontario to British Columbia.

In 2021, DFO's fishery officers:

• dedicated over 20 513 hours to patrols, inspections, investigations, court cases, public relations and other duties related to enforcing the prohibitions of SARA
• initiated approximately 299 investigations and spent approximately 2408 hours on investigative work related to species at risk
• recorded a total of 72 SARA violations involving species at risk that resulted in fines, seizures, charges and warnings
• increased on-water capacity dedicated to the enforcement of Killer Whale management, almost tripling the number of investigations

Figure 8. Enforcement of Killer Whale management

Parks Canada’s Law Branch is responsible for enforcing all legislation related to the Agency’s mandate, including SARA and the Fisheries Act, on all lands and waters it administers.

Parks Canada joined efforts with DFO, Transport Canada, ECCC and other partners in 2019 to protect the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW). In 2021, park wardens conducted over 1000 hours of dedicated patrols within SRKW Critical Habitat and Interim Sanctuary Zones. Park wardens worked collaboratively with External Relations staff in Parks Canada as well as other non-governmental organizations to help promote the new protection measures and educate the boating community.

6. Monitoring

Monitoring of wildlife species provides the scientific foundation for all aspects of the species at risk program, from assessment and recovery planning, to implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation actions. For assessment, monitoring programs provide information on the distribution, abundance and population trends of species, which are key parameters in the COSEWIC assessment process.

Recovery planning depends upon data from monitoring programs to determine the current distribution and identify critical habitat for listed species at risk. Monitoring tied to conservation actions can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of those actions for meeting recovery objectives, and guide further actions through an adaptive management process.

ECCC manages or coordinates monitoring programs for all species of migratory birds in Canada, as well as selected other wildlife species, particularly species at risk. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, which completed its 56th year of surveys in 2021, provides the foundation for monitoring the status of most species of land birds across Canada and the USA. This survey, like many others in North America, depends upon thousands of skilled volunteers who can identify all the bird species in their area by sight and sound, along with professional staff who provide oversight and coordination, and run surveys themselves. Data from this survey have been instrumental in identifying major population declines in many species of birds; the survey contributes (directly and indirectly) to all stages of the conservation and management cycle, from identifying conservation needs to evaluating conservation actions.

In 2021, 3 Breeding Bird Atlases (Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, and Ontario) were simultaneously underway in Canada. Bird Atlases are an important suite of monitoring programs that contribute to assessment and conservation of species at risk. These projects typically involve an intensive effort over about 5 years using a combination of skilled volunteers and professional staff to obtain detailed information on the distribution and abundance of birds across a region. Such information can be particularly valuable for identifying critical habitat and supporting impact assessment. ECCC has worked in collaboration with Birds Canada, as well as many other partners, to deliver atlases in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and the Maritimes. Data from these atlases are made publicly available through the NatureCounts data platform hosted by Birds Canada.

ECCC runs or manages many monitoring programs specifically focused on species at risk. Examples include programs focused on describing critical habitat; quantifying occupancy, abundance, productivity, and/or breeding evidence at important breeding or foraging sites and/or habitats; developing environmental DNA (eDNA) survey methods to support monitoring of Canadian populations; providing status and trend information for low density or locally-distributed species that are not otherwise monitored by large-scale, standardized surveys; describing threats to populations; and assessing the impact of management activities on species at risk and their habitats. These projects are designed to address specific knowledge gaps that are necessary to complete recovery documents, or to otherwise support species at risk program needs.

Federal funding programs administered by ECCC and, in some cases, co-managed by ECCC, DFO and Parks Canada (including the Habitat Stewardship Program, the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk and the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund) support monitoring activities. Information from these initiatives, along with information from partner organizations and researchers, allows the tracking of progress towards meeting recovery goals. See section 4.6 Recovery Activities for more information on these programs.

Parks Canada monitors various ecosystem indicators and species at risk in the places it administers. In 2021, the progress of activities in Parks Canada’s final multi-species action plans continued to be tracked in its national ecological monitoring database system. The information obtained from monitoring activities and action plan targets is used to determine progress towards achieving both the population and distribution objectives and recovery measures, as outlined in the multi-species action plans.

In 2021, Parks Canada continued to track the distribution of the species found within the lands and waters it administers. This information contributes to the Wildlife Species reports (produced every 5 years under the General Status of species in Canada program), the COSEWIC status reports and the development of multi-species action plans.

Parks Canada is using hydrophones to monitor vessel disturbance and cetacean vocalizations in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve during Southern Resident Killer Whale surveys, contributing to One Coast, a hydrophone network for cetacean habitat monitoring and stewardship across British Columbia.

Field Notes: Recovering Southern Resident Killer Whales

Parks Canada published a series of 3 videos that follow the conservation team as it monitors the ecological integrity of La Mauricie National Park. For example, during winter, the team monitors the populations of Eastern Wolf, which is a key species. The population is stable: there are 2 wolf packs of around 3 to 6 wolves each in the park. Watch this video to discover a great example of monitoring in action by our scientists as they keep an eye on the health of the packs and the park.

On the trail of wolves

In 2021, DFO Science advanced several multi-species or multi-population monitoring projects as part of the Nature Legacy Initiative to focus on priority areas and threats to SARA-listed and COSEWIC-assessed species at risk. Ten multi-species monitoring projects were funded:

• acoustic monitoring of marine mammal presence (for example, Walrus, Narwhals, Belugas, Bowhead Whales) in shipping corridors in the Arctic
• preparations for a comprehensive survey of freshwater fishes and habitats in the Maritimes (Bay of Fundy and Southern Uplands Watersheds)
• DFO interactions and bycatch monitoring of endangered pelagic sharks in Atlantic Canada (for example, White Shark, Porbeagle Shark, Shortfin Mako Shark)
• use of eDNA to monitor freshwater species in Prince Edward Island (for example, Brook Floater, Atlantic Salmon, American Eel)
• monitoring aquaculture interactions and presence of at-risk species (for example, White Shark, Porbeagle Shark, Shortfin Mako Shark, Bluefin Tuna) using eDNA methods in southern Newfoundland
• monitoring of Atlantic Salmon returns (multiple populations) in Newfoundland and Labrador using eDNA
• eDNA as a complementary approach to stock assessment and the monitoring of  species at risk (for example, wolffish, Atlantic Salmon, Skates, White Shark, Shortfin Mako, Porbeagle, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna) through the annual southern Gulf of St-Lawrence multi-species bottom-trawl comparative survey
• multi-species monitoring of freshwater fishes and mussels (for example, Lake Sturgeon, Hickorynut Mussel) in the Ottawa River
• evaluating objectives and methods for monitoring freshwater fish and mussels in the Great Lakes basin
• monitoring changes in Pacific freshwater ecosystems and species at risk (for example, Speckled Dace, Umatilla Dace, Columbia Sculpin, Shorthead Sculpin) using eDNA

In addition to these initiatives, DFO’s Marine Mammal Science Program implemented the following initiatives:

• expanding the use of existing technologies and approaches to monitor and track whales in Canadian waters, as well as developing, testing, and implementing new ones for several purposes, including to inform vessel slowdown and fisheries management measures in collaboration with Transport Canada, monitoring in near real-time the North Atlantic Right Whale in order to support the implementation of fisheries management measures which include dynamic and season long closure areas (put in place when whales are detected)
• monitoring in near real-time, the North Atlantic Right Whale and their prey in order to implement dynamic management measures (put in place when whales are present)
• monitoring the level of contaminants in the tissues of Southern Resident Killer Whales and Saint Lawrence Estuary Beluga, their prey, and the surrounding ecosystem, in collaboration with other government agencies (such as Parks Canada) and Indigenous communities
• authoring research papers and reports arising from several peer review processes regarding Steller Sea Lion abundance estimates
• authoring the first of several research papers arising from the Pacific Coast Wide Systematic Survey undertaken in 2020, that included at risk marine mammals such as Fin and Humpback Whales
• completing an annual census of NRKW to update population estimates undertaking research on SRKW to inform the identification of areas in which to apply spatial management measures to apply spatial management measures to protect them

7. Permits and impact assessments under SARA

7.1. Permits

Permits are required for activities that may affect species listed on Schedule 1 of SARA as extirpated, endangered, or threatened and which contravene the Act's general or critical habitat prohibitions.

The competent minister may enter into an agreement or issue a permit under section 73 of SARA for the following:

• scientific research related to the conservation of a listed species, and conducted by qualified persons
• activities that benefit a listed species or enhance its chance of survival in the wild
• activities that incidentally affect a listed species

^a Of these, 29 791 were commercial fishing licences that permitted incidental bycatch of species at risk while fishing for other not-at-risk species.

In 2021, ECCC, Parks Canada and DFO jointly issued a total of 30 492 SARA permits and SARA compliant permits.

ECCC issued 69 section 73 permits to allow for activities affecting over 50 species, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, vascular plants, arthropods, molluscs and mammals. The total number of permits per type is greater than 69 because 16 permits covered more than 1 purpose. Of the 69 permits issued:

• 16 were for scientific research related to the conservation of a species
• 26 were for activities benefiting a species or required to enhance its chance of survival in the wild
• 43 were for activities incidentally affecting a species

Twelve of these permits were issued for activities carried out in an area affected by an emergency protection order.

ECCC also issued 342 SARA-compliant permits affecting, or with the potential to affect, threatened and endangered migratory bird species under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Details regarding delivery of permits against ECCC service standards are available online.

Parks Canada issued a total of 29 permits, some of which were SARA-compliant permits issued under the Canada National Parks Act:

• 15 permits covering at least 25 listed species, were issued to academic and government researchers, as well as Parks Canada scientists, for conservation research affecting species at risk (for example, inventory, population monitoring, habitat use and restoration, and conservation genetics)  
• 6 permits were issued for an activity necessary or beneficial to 10 listed species  
• 8 permits were issued for activities that may incidentally affect at least 10 listed species

Parks Canada maintains an online research permitting system to enhance services to researchers, and to ensure that the agency is informed of research being conducted on the lands and waters it administers. The system incorporates a mandatory peer‐review mechanism that ensures SARA requirements are considered for every research activity.

DFO issued a total of 228 SARA permits in 2021. In addition to licences allowing for bycatch, DFO issued permits, licences and authorizations under various regulations made under the Fisheries Act : 14 fishing licences for experimental, scientific, and educational purposes under section 52 of the Fishery (General) Regulations; 9 authorizations under section 38 of the Marine Mammal Regulations for disturbances caused in the conduct of beneficial work; and 10 authorizations under paragraph 35(2)(b) of the Fisheries Act that have the same effect as SARA permits.

Of these 261 permits, licences and authorizations described in the paragraph above:

• 82 were for scientific research related to the conservation of an aquatic species
• 35 were for other activities that benefit the species or enhance its chance of survival in the wild (for example, monitoring surveys or marine mammal rescue)
• 144  were for activities that incidentally affected the listed species (including accidental capture while undertaking research on other non-listed species, or fish or mussel relocation during construction activities)

In 2021, DFO also issued 29 791 commercial fishing licences under the Fisheries Act where incidental catches of White Shark, Basking Shark and Loggerhead Sea Turtles were recognized to be a possibility.  Conditions in fishing licences require mandatory reporting of interactions in log books, and subsequent release of species back into the water in the manner that causes the least harm.

Explanations for all SARA permits issued by ECCC, Parks Canada and DFO are posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

7.2. Impact Assessments

Impact Assessment (IA) legislation, programs and policies play an important role in the conservation of nature and biodiversity by protecting species at risk and their critical habitat from effects of industrial developments. IA also advances reconciliation by supporting Indigenous rights during project assessments.

When an IA of a project is required to be conducted under federal legislation such as the Impact Assessment Act, SARA requires that the competent minister(s) be notified, without delay, in writing if the project is likely to affect a species listed in Schedule 1 or its critical habitat. SARA also requires, among other things, that the adverse effects of the project on all species listed in Schedule 1 or their critical habitat be identified. In addition, if the project is carried out, SARA makes it mandatory for the responsible entity to ensure that measures are taken to avoid or lessen the effects on the listed species and its critical habitat and to monitor the effects. And, importantly, the measures must be taken in a way that is consistent with applicable recovery strategies and action plans.

ECCC, Parks Canada and DFO provide expert advice into federal review processes under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, the Impact Assessment Act and the territorial environmental project review statutes, including the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, and the Mackenzie valley Resource Management Act. Expert advice informs reviews of industrial development projects (for example, ports, mines, and pipelines) to help identify and avoid or lessen project effects to species at risk and their habitat, in a way that is consistent with SARA.

This work is guided by policy instruments to support IAs and the administration of other regulatory authorities under SARA (for example, permitting), and promotes consistency with the SARA and management documents where those are in place. This helps to ensure recovery strategies and plans are accounted for in project design and mitigation strategies, and supports the overall achievement of their goals and outcomes. It can also contribute to reducing the incidence of new listings for species at risk.

Industrial development projects and their effects on the landscape can result in negative effects to traditional land use and culture of Indigenous peoples of Canada. Heightened Indigenous expectation for Reconciliation and NGO expectations for Nature Legacy investments and the Pan-Canadian Approach for terrestrial species requires ECCC and Parks Canada engagement and follow-up on all major projects to address wildlife conservation and Indigenous-related issues. These efforts help protect species at risk, while also responding to stakeholder expectations.

In 2021, ECCC contributed science-based advice to more than 227 active projects, including 82 designated projects and 17 major projects under Northern review processes, involving more than 340 species at risk such as Boreal Caribou and Western Chorus Frog. As an example, ECCC collaborated with Indigenous peoples during the NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. 2021 System Expansion Project review process that will result in the creation of 3480 hectares of Boreal Caribou habitat over the long term. This outcome will assist in the long-term recovery of the species by returning approximately 1% of undisturbed habitat to its critical habitat. In addition, the Ring of Fire Regional Assessment work underway in Ontario will contribute to the recovery of the Boreal Caribou through one of the largest studies of the species and its habitat ever undertaken in Canada, covering approximately 70 000 km².

By providing advice to IA reviews, the departments strive for predictable outcomes grounded in science to avoid and/or mitigate industrial project effects to species and their habitat. This helps support the overall objectives of species at risk.

Parks Canada provides advice for major projects on neighbouring lands when they may affect species at risk within the places it administers. In addition, the agency conducts hundreds of assessments each year on lands and waters administered by the Agency that facilitate the protection of species at risk.

With respect to DFO, some projects that require an authorization under the Fisheries Act and/or a permit under the Species at Risk Act may also require that an IA be conducted prior to the issuance of the authorization or permit. During the conduct of environmental or impact assessments, departmental advice from multiple sectors is collected to support the prediction of potential project impacts and potential effectiveness of mitigation based on analysis of the project’s expected impacts to fish and fish habitat, including any aquatic species at risk and their habitat, as well as its effects on the rights of Indigenous peoples.

8. Consultation and governance

8.1. Transition from Species at Risk Advisory Committee to Nature Advisory Committee

The Species at Risk Advisory Committee’s (SARAC) last membership of 28 included a balanced representation of non-governmental organizations from industry, business, academia, agriculture and environment. The committee also invited participation of Indigenous partners from the Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. The last membership fulfilled its 3-year term from 2017-2020.

During its final January 2020 face-to-face meeting, SARAC members encouraged continuity on important work to protect biodiversity and species at risk, and stressed the value and need to engage with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, scientists, industry and other stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of SARA. In this context, federal officials sought SARAC’s perspectives on the structure of external engagement for species at risk moving forward. Mindful of their resulting recommendations, and given intent to encourage strengthened collaborative action to advance solutions for halting and reversing biodiversity loss, ECCC began work in 2021 to establish a new engagement model for nature which was Minister approved in February 2021. That model included establishment of a Nature Advisory Committee (NAC), to be composed of a diverse multi-interest membership of well-positioned external advisors to offer impactful, informed, and effective advice to ECCC and its Minister on ECCC’s nature-related mandate commitments. The NAC is expected to build from the accomplishments of work to date, including that of past SARAC memberships, and will consider matters related to species at risk, biodiversity, wildlife health, and area-based conservation from an integrated, holistic and cross-cutting perspective.

8.2. Indigenous advisory groups

National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk

The National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR) is composed of 6 representatives of Indigenous peoples of Canada, appointed by the Minister. It was created under section 8.1 of SARA to advise the Minister on the administration of the Act and to provide advice and recommendations to the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC). While CESCC is not currently formally established, the participating Ministers do meet regularly.

On March 31, 2021, NACOSAR’s 2018-2021 membership held its final virtual face-to-face meeting. The engagement focused on NACOSAR’s progress and reflections from their 3-year term, and in particular, its work to ensure consideration of Indigenous views and values in the federal socio-economic analysis process, and its vision for the NACOSAR’s next membership. The meeting invited participation of federal partners from ECCC, DFO and Parks Canada, including the Ministers of ECCC and DFO.

NACOSAR shared the outcomes of their final recommendation letter with the Ministers of ECCC and DFO. Specifically, NACOSAR’s advice outlined recommendations in 4 key areas, including the need to advance Indigenous leadership in species at risk management, conservation, recovery, and protection; enhancing the inclusion of an Indigenous lens in SARA; effective use of SARA tools with Indigenous peoples; and holistic approaches to species at risk. NACOSAR also recommended a more comprehensive account of species at risk considerations and risks that are important to Indigenous peoples. This dialogue offered an opportunity for NACOSAR members to elaborate on their formal advice and recommendations while also giving federal representatives an opportunity to respond and thank NACOSAR for their comments and thoughtful recommendations, noting intent to review the Council’s advice with particular consideration for engagement opportunities at a national and local scale.

Moving forward, there was agreement that the next Council should continue to build on this membership’s recommendations.

First Nation Advisory Committee on Species at Risk

In 2017, ECCC and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) co-developed the First Nation Advisory Committee on Species at Risk (FNACSAR) under section 9 of SARA. Managed by AFN and co-chaired by AFN and ECCC, the committee focused on engaging First Nations to find solutions to SARA implementation as it relates to First Nations peoples in Canada. Its last face-to-face meeting was in January 2020 and FNACSAR’s contribution agreement sunsetted on March 31, 2020. Shortly thereafter, ECCC began exploring external engagement mechanisms and models that would promote a more strategic, efficient and integrated approach to conservation and nature issues, with opportunity to enhance cooperation and partnership for species at risk in a manner that is inclusive of Indigenous and stakeholder perspectives and voices. Throughout 2021, bilateral engagement between ECCC and AFN supported efforts to co-design a First Nations Nature Table as part of ECCC’s broader nature engagement model, continuing to build on efforts to date from various avenues, including the FNACSAR.

8.3. SARA Ministerial Round Table

A SARA Ministerial Roundtable was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 federal election.

8.4. Species at Risk Public Registry

The online Species at Risk Public Registry fulfills the requirement under SARA for the Minister to establish a public registry to facilitate access to SARA-related documents. The Registry is an important tool for engaging and informing Canadians on species at risk issues. In addition to providing access to documents and information related to SARA, it provides a forum for Canadians to submit comments on SARA-related documents developed by the Government of Canada.

Section 123 of SARA identifies documents that must be published on the Registry, including:

• regulations and orders made under the Act
• agreements entered into under section 10 of the Act
• COSEWIC’s criteria for the classification of wildlife species
• status reports on wildlife species that COSEWIC has prepared or has received with an application
• the List of Wildlife Species at Risk
• codes of practice, national standards or guidelines established under the Act
• agreements and reports filed under section 111 or subsection 113(2) of the Act, or notices that these have been filed in court and are available to the public
• all reports made under sections 126 and 128 of the Act

Other documents prepared in response to the requirements of SARA, such as recovery strategies, action plans, management plans and reports on the progress of recovery strategy implementation, are also published on the Public Registry.

In 2021, 302 documents were published on the Registry, including 169 permit explanations and 77 documents for public consultation. These documents include SARA and COSEWIC annual reports, consultation documents, COSEWIC status reports and status appraisal summaries, ministerial response statements, permit explanations and recovery documents.

9. Progress under the Nature Legacy for Canada Initiative

The responsibility for conservation of wildlife in Canada is shared among different levels of government in Canada. To further support species conservation in Canada, the federal government announced the Nature Legacy for Canada Initiative in 2018 to protect and aid in the recovery of up to 250 wildlife species focusing on priority places, species and threats. The work towards meeting Canada’s goals is being done in collaboration with partners (for example, provinces and territories; ENGOs; industry; Indigenous peoples; and private land owners).

Through the Nature Legacy Initiative’s Canada Nature Fund, the federal government committed $155 million over 5 years (2018-2023) to support conservation of terrestrial wildlife species under the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada (Pan-Canadian Approach), and $55 million over 5 years (2018-2023) to support conservation of aquatic species through the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR).

In August 2021, the federal government reaffirmed its commitments toward wildlife and biodiversity through the Enhanced Nature Legacy (ENL), an investment of $2.3 billion over 5 years starting in 2021-2022, to ECCC, Parks Canada, and DFO. The funding aims to support the protection and conservation of additional land and inland waters and to take action to prevent priority species at imminent risk of disappearing, including through partnerships with Indigenous peoples.

This investment includes up to $210 million over 5 years to support interested provinces and territories to develop bilateral Nature Agreements with the federal government and $209 million to protect priority ecosystems. The Nature Agreements present an opportunity to advance a stewardship-based approach, in alignment with the tenets outlined in the Pan-Canadian Approach to increase the level of responsibility undertaken by jurisdictions in the protection and conservation of species at risk, and their habitats. The goal, through these agreements, is to help advance the recovery of Southern Mountain Caribou and Boreal Caribou, both of which are identified as priority species under the Pan-Canadian Approach and whose numbers are in serious decline. The federal government also committed $377 million to support recovery actions for priority species such as Boreal Caribou, Atlantic Salmon and Pacific Salmon.

The ENL includes an investment of $173 million over 5 years to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the largest investment allocated to aquatic species at risk to date. $28M of this funding boosts the initial $55M for CNFASAR. It supports science, protection and recovery of 3 iconic aquatic species at risk: the North Atlantic Right Whale, Atlantic Salmon, and Pacific Salmon. It also includes: support to develop a multispecies approach to SARA delivery, including additional funding for the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk; funding to address priority threats to aquatic species at risk, including ghost gear; and support for building partnerships with Indigenous communities in support of the Nature Legacy goals.

9.1. Pan-Canadian Approach for terrestrial species at risk

ECCC and Parks Canada have been working closely with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and other partners to address priority terrestrial species, places and sectors through the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach and related policy and program improvements.

Priority places

The federal, provincial and territorial governments have jointly identified 11 priority places across Canada in which to focus conservation actions for species at risk:

• Nova Scotia – Kespukwitk/South West Nova Scotia
• New Brunswick – Wolastoq/Saint John River Valley
• Prince Edward Island – Forested landscape
• Quebec – St Lawrence Lowlands
• Ontario - Long Point Walsingham Forest
• Manitoba – Mixed Grass Prairie
• Saskatchewan – South of Divide
• Alberta – Summit to Sage
• British Columbia – Dry Interior
• British Columbia – South West British Columbia
• Yukon – South Beringia

The places selected have significant biodiversity, concentrations of species at risk, and opportunities to advance conservation effort, covering nearly 30 million hectares (with 2 million hectares of critical habitat) with an estimated 322 species at risk. In each priority place, the federal and provincial or territorial governments are working with Indigenous peoples and other partners and stakeholders to develop conservation action plans and implement key conservation actions.

These 11 priority places are complemented by a suite of Community-nominated Priority Places (CNPPs) which were identified through an open call for applications. Together the 18 CNPPs cover over 10 million hectares and are home to more than 150 species at risk. The CNPPs are supporting multi-partner initiatives in priority places where there are opportunities to protect and recover species at risk and their habitat through multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action.  In 2021, 3 new CNPPs were identified; 1 in each of the territories.

In 2021, the federal government invested up to $26.4 million in 135 priority places projects across the country. One hundred and seventeen of these projects in the 11 priority places are being carried out through a directed funding process. In addition to advancing foundational work (establishing governance frameworks, engagement of partners and stakeholders and conservation action planning), significant gains have been made in data collection to fill information gaps, support education and outreach to raise awareness and encourage species at risk conservation in priority places, and support direct action through activities including habitat stewardship and restoration. Projects supporting these objectives in 2020-2021 include:

• enhancing species at risk habitat in mixed grass prairie in Manitoba through monitoring, range stewardship, range health assessments and land management plans
• developing outreach materials for private woodlot owners and forest producers on best management practices for species at risk conservation and the collaborative development of guidelines for private forest owners in Quebec
• securing and protecting important habitat in British Columbia for the benefit of species at risk, migratory birds, and other species of conservation concern that will enable early habitat management action, and future management and restoration of conserved lands
• developing an invasive species management strategy and conducting monitoring in coastal habitats in Ontario's priority place

Parks Canada is responsible for protecting and managing the ecosystems of National Parks. National Parks overlap with 6 priority places allowing for collaboration with partners to maximize landscape-scale conservation benefits. Parks Canada is also a key partner in at least 5 CNPP initiatives across the country. For example, Prince Edward Island National Park and the Mi’kmaw First Nations of PEI are working with the Prince Edward Island Coastal Ecosystem CNPP and engaging other levels of government, environmental organizations, and academia to identify recovery activities for species at risk and species of cultural significance for the region, using the Conservation Standards as an adaptive management framework. Common goals and strategies are being identified to help facilitate collaborative conservation action at a landscape-level scale.

Priority species

While the Pan-Canadian Approach largely shifts to a focus on multiple species and ecosystems, there are cases where collaborative efforts centred on single species are preferable, particularly for species with complex threat scenarios, transboundary ranges, and whose protection provides co-benefits to other wildlife. Thus, the federal-provincial-territorial governments identified an initial set of 6 “priority” species of shared responsibility in 2018:

• Caribou
  • Boreal Caribou (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and Northwest Territories)
  • Southern Mountain Caribou (British Columbia and Alberta)
  • Peary Caribou (Northwest Territories and Nunavut)
  • Barren-ground Caribou (including the Dolphin and Union population; Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut)
• Greater Sage-Grouse (Alberta and Saskatchewan)
• Wood Bison (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba^{Footnote 4} , Yukon and Northwest Territories)

These species have (or had) large geographic ranges and an important ecological role on a regional and/or national scale. Moreover, many have high cultural, traditional, and spiritual meaning for Indigenous peoples. Together, the species’ ranges cover over 561 million hectares of Canada – about 56% of the country. It is expected that we can achieve significant co-benefits for other species at risk, and wildlife in general, by delivering conservation outcomes for priority species.

In addition to the development and ongoing implementation of national collaboration agreements for Boreal Caribou and Southern Mountain Caribou (see section 4.6.1), ECCC invested over $7.8M in 21 new priority species projects across Canada in 2021-2022, with additional funding leveraged via match funding from partners. Projects supporting this objective included:

• conducting genomic analyses of caribou samples across British Columbia to quantify gene flow and connectivity between populations and evaluate whether levels of gene flow are adequate for long term population viability
• undertaking Barren-ground Caribou surveys in the low Arctic and high subarctic regions of Northwest Territories
• facilitating collaborative meetings with partners, including Indigenous peoples, for the management of Wood Bison in Northwest Territories
• engaging with Indigenous partners in Labrador to advance the Caribou Guardians programs and initiate the drafting of Boreal Caribou range plans  

In addition to the Parks Canada species at risk programming that occurs across the country for both terrestrial and aquatic species, priority species occur within 23 Parks Canada-administered places. Parks Canada has active conservation programs for a number of the priority species including, but not limited to the Greater Sage-grouse, Barren-Ground Caribou, Southern Mountain Caribou and Wood Bison. For example, Parks Canada has been working for many years to support the recovery of Southern Mountain Caribou herds in Jasper National Park by protecting habitat and reducing threats. As part of Budget 2021, Parks Canada received $24 million through the ENL for caribou recovery initiatives in the park, advancing a conservation breeding program to help recover caribou populations. The funding will support the recovery of the Tonquin herd, and is considered a novel approach that may have wide-ranging benefits across other herds. Actions underway include consultations with Indigenous partners, stakeholders and with the broader public, completing the design for including a caribou conservation breeding centre, and completing a detailed impact assessment. Additionally, Parks Canada, ECCC and other partners are undertaking activities to address the Imminent Threat Assessment for Wood Bison published January 29, 2020.

Priority sectors

The Pan-Canadian Approach identified 3 priority sectors: agriculture, forest and urban development. Each of the priority sectors was chosen as an initial focus for its impact on species at risk, national scope and relevance. Work has progressed substantially in all priority sectors in including supporting innovative projects within the sector, creating mechanisms for collaboration and developing sector-based conservation action plans for species at risk.  In 2021, federal financial investments totalling $1.2 million supported 10 multi-year projects.

Indigenous Partnerships Initiative

ECCC’s Indigenous Partnerships Initiative (IPI) aims to enable Indigenous leadership in species at risk conservation by supporting projects that advance the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach and SARA in a manner that reflects the unique priorities, rights, and knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Initiative achieves results through a range of project activities that include advancing SAR recovery measures informed by Indigenous knowledge, including habitat restoration, monitoring, and threat management; developing mapping tools, skills training, and guidance materials to support conservation of species at risk that can be shared with other Indigenous partners (nation-to-nation learning);  enhancing capacity for collaborative conservation planning and governance mechanisms across traditional territories; and expanding an innovative approach to meeting the consultation and cooperation obligations under SARA across Canada. During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, IPI provided $10.4 million in 33 new and 29 previously approved multi-year projects; leveraged additional funds that exceeded $2.8 million (cash and in‑kind); and involved 53 Indigenous governments, communities, and organizations as unique recipients.

9.2. The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk

The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) is a contribution funding program administered by DFO that aims to build relationships with Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, industry and other partners for aquatic species at risk by supporting and encouraging stewardship actions through the implementation of multi-species, threat, and place-based approaches to recovery and protection.

Budget 2018 provided $55 million over 5 years to support CNFASAR projects, and building on this momentum, Budget 2021 announced an additional $29.5 million for the CNFASAR. This funding supports 56 multi-species projects that benefit over 100 populations of aquatic species at risk in 9 priority freshwater places and over 60 populations of aquatic species at risk associated with 2 marine threats and 3 priority species.

The 9 priority freshwater places under CNFASAR are:

1. Fraser and Columbia Watersheds Priority Area (British Columbia)
2. Rocky Mountains’ Eastern Slopes Priority Area (Alberta)
3. Southern Prairies Priority Area (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba)
4. Lower Great Lakes Watershed Priority Area (Ontario)
5. St. Lawrence Lowlands Priority Area (Quebec)
6. Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Rivers Priority Area (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island)
7. Bay of Fundy and Southern Uplands Watersheds Priority Area (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick)
8. Southern Newfoundland Priority Area (Newfoundland and Labrador)
9. Arctic Priority Area (Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Arctic Ocean)

The 3 priority species are:

1. Atlantic Salmon
2. Pacific Salmon
3. North Atlantic Right Whale

The 2 marine priority threats are:

1. fishing interactions – this threat includes entanglements and bycatch of aquatic species at risk (geographic scope: all Canadian oceans)
2. physical and acoustic disturbance – this threat includes vessel collisions and marine noise

10. Additional information

To obtain further information or publications and to submit questions or comments concerning species at risk programs and activities, please contact any of the following:

Environment and Climate Change Canada
Public Inquiries Centre
7th Floor, Fontaine Building
200 Sacré-Cœur Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-938-3860
Toll Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Communications Branch
200 Kent Street
3rd Floor, Station 13228
Ottawa ON K1A 0E6
Canada
Tel.: 613-993-0999
Fax: 613-990-1866
Email: info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Parks Canada Agency
National Office
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau QC J8X 0B3
Canada
Tel.: 888-773-8888
TTY: 866-787-6221
Email: information@pc,gc.ca

For more information on the Species at Risk Public Registry, and to submit questions or comments on the Public Registry, please contact:

SARA Public Registry Office
351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 20th Floor
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3
Canada
Email: SARAregistry@ec.gc.ca

11. Annex

11.1. COSEWIC assessments (Batches 1 to 19)

^b At proclamation, 233 species were on Schedule 1
^c The column total is 633, however there are 640 species on Schedule 1. This apparent discrepancy results when COSEWIC confirms the status of listed wildlife species while assigning those same individuals to 2 or more wildlife species, at the same status. For these wildlife species, once GiC has accepted the change, no individuals were added to Schedule 1 and their statuses did not change; however what was listed as 1 species, becomes listed instead as 2 or more wildlife species.

11.2. List of species received from COSEWIC

^d New population structure, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as Red Knot roselaari type
^e New population structure, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as Calidris canutus roselaari type
^f New population structure, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as part of Red Knot roselaari type. If the new population structure were to be accepted on Schedule 1, these individuals would undergo a change to their Schedule 1 status from Threatened to Endangered.
^g New population structure, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as Calidris canutus roselaari type
^h Name change, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as Red Knot rufa subspecies
ⁱ Name change, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as Five-lined Skink Carolinian population
^j New population structure, currently listed on SARA Schedule 1 as Red Knot roselaari type.
^k New population structure, currently listed as Calidris canutus roselaari type. If the new population structure were to be accepted on Schedule 1, these individuals would retain their current Schedule 1 status of Threatened.

11.3. Terrestrial species not yet forwarded to GiC

11.4. Aquatic species not yet forwarded to GiC