REGINA, February 29, 2008 - Canada's Environment Minister, John Baird, and Saskatchewan's Minister of the Environment, Nancy Heppner, today announced the signing of an agreement between the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan to ensure the province-wide protection and recovery of species at risk.
"Our government is committed to the protecting and preserving of our environment and that means protecting species at risk. We have taken real action by investing $110 million over two years to make this happen," said Minister Baird. "With agreements in place with Quebec, British Columbia and now Saskatchewan, Canada is on its way to a stronger, more collaborative approach to protecting species at risk."
In Canada, species at risk are protected under the federalSpecies at Risk Act, and through a number of provincial and territorial laws. The Canada-Saskatchewan Agreement on Species at Risk ensures that governments have a coordinated approach to protecting and recovering species at risk, and to preventing other wildlife from becoming endangered or threatened.
"Through this agreement, Canada and Saskatchewan will work together to develop species at risk protection in this province that complements our priorities on habitat protection and ecosystem management," Minister Heppner said. "The enhanced coordination and cooperation that will come from this agreement will lead to better protection of species at risk in Saskatchewan."
A new Canada-Saskatchewan Steering Committee oversees efforts to protect and recover species at risk in Saskatchewan. The group is composed of federal authorities from Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada, and by representatives from the provincial ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Food, and the Watershed Authority. Aboriginal groups in Saskatchewan will be closely involved.
"Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also committed to protecting Canada's aquatic biodiversity for our future generations, and working with our many partners and stakeholders will make this happen," said Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Loyola Hearn.
Saskatchewan is home to 43 species at risk listed under theSpecies at Risk Act including the burrowing owl, the piping plover, the swift fox and the woodland caribou. Aquatic species currently under consideration for listing are three populations of lake sturgeon.
To find out more about species at risk visit:
www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca. For more information on the Species at Risk Act visit theSpecies at Risk Act Public Registry website at: www.sararegistry.gc.ca
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Environment Canada
Media Relations
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008
Fisheries and Oceans
Media Relations
Phil Jenkins
(613) 990-7537
Saskatchewan Environment
Media Relations
Art Jones
(306) 787-5796
