(Chapter 6—Recovery Planning for Species at Risk—Fall 2013 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
Ottawa, 5 November 2013—Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada have not met their obligations under the Species at Risk Act to map out the steps needed to support the recovery of species at risk, says Neil Maxwell, interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, in his Fall 2013 report tabled today in Parliament. The audit examined whether the three organizations had completed by 31 March 2013 the recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans for which they are responsible under the Act.
“Recovery strategies and plans are the roadmap to the recovery of a species,” said Mr. Maxwell. “They set out the actions needed to stop or reverse species decline.”
The Species at Risk Act stipulates deadlines for developing recovery strategies. The audit found that 146 of 360 recovery strategies for species at risk were overdue at 31 March 2013. Though Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada have completed most of the recovery strategies for which they are responsible, Environment Canada continues to have a significant number of outstanding recovery strategies. Of these, 84 percent were overdue by more than three years as of 31 March 2013. Given that Environment Canada has completed about 15 strategies per year since 2008, auditors estimate that it will take the Department about 10 years to clear the backlog. In addition, of the recovery strategies that have been completed, by the three organizations, 43 percent do not identify the critical habitat of the species at risk, often key to successful recovery efforts.
Action plans are required to guide and direct the implementation of recovery strategies. They set out the details of the steps that need to be taken to support the recovery of a species and against which progress can be measured. The audit found that the three organizations have yet to complete over 90 percent of the action plans.
“Complete and timely recovery strategies and plans are key requirements under the Species at Risk Act,” said Mr. Maxwell. “With so many overdue, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada are missing the necessary tools to direct recovery efforts.”
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