Critical Habitat of the Gattinger’s Agalinis Order

Key findings from the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) conducted for the Critical Habitat of the Gattinger’s Agalinis (Agalinis gattingeri) Order (the Order).

The objective of the Order is to support the survival and recovery of the Gattinger’s Agalinis through the legal protection of its critical habitat on federal lands identified in its recovery strategy. The Order came into force on the day of its registration, on January 18, 2022. The Order applies the prohibition against the destruction of all critical habitat of the Gattinger’s Agalinis located on federal lands, as set out in subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Order would provide immediate protection to the species by preventing further loss or degradation of the habitat required for species’ recovery and survival. The Gattinger’s Agalinis is listed as endangered under SARA. Efforts to recover a given species, notably the Gattinger’s Agalinis, contribute to overall biodiversity, the maintenance of which is essential for healthy ecosystems, human health, prosperity and well-being.

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a SEA was conducted for the Order. The SEA concluded that the Order would have important positive environmental effects. For example, the Order is expected to support the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) goal “Healthy Wildlife Populations” as the prohibition against the destruction of the critical habitat of the Gattinger’s Agalinis on federal lands will effectively prohibit activities in areas of high ecological value. The Order will support the goal’s medium-term target, “By 2020, species that are secure remain secure, and populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans” for the same reasons. The Order also supports the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, which recognizes the importance of protecting the habitats of species at risk as a key component of conserving biological diversity. In addition, the protection of habitat by the Order will contribute to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 15 – “Life on Land.”

SARA requires measures such as recovery planning and reporting that will help scientists learn if Gattinger’s Agalinis is recovering. For updates with new or additional information related to the Critical Habitat of the Gattinger’s Agalinis (Agalinis gattingeri) Order, please consult the Species at Risk Public Registry.