A group of five former leaders of a committee advising the federal government on endangered species has penned an open letter expressing worries about potential alterations to the Species At Risk Act. They fear these changes could result in the deliberate extinction of endangered species in Canada. The legislation currently protects over 600 species, but proposed amendments could render it ineffective, as stated in a recent press release by the scientists.

These former heads of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) dispatched the letter to federal authorities last month. COSEWIC is an independent advisory body that evaluates species at risk and recommends their inclusion under endangered species legislation. The scientists chose to go public with the letter to prevent Canadians from inadvertently contributing to the deliberate extinction of Canadian wildlife species.

The letter coincides with the government’s contemplation of broad environmental regulatory changes, including revisions to the Species At Risk Act, aimed at expediting approval and construction processes for major projects.

In May, two government discussion papers proposed the pre-approval of major projects prior to evaluation and exempting certain projects from the required “jeopardy test” if they are deemed to serve the national interest. These changes have sparked concern among experts, including David Green, a former COSEWIC chair and biologist at McGill University, who referred to the alterations as a severe blow to the law’s integrity. Jeopardy tests act as a crucial safeguard against projects that could harm species and their habitats, ensuring their survival.

The suggested amendments would grant the government powers to establish “federal economic zones” for pre-approving industrial developments and to greenlight pipelines before route planning, bypassing federal impact assessments. Bill C-5 presently allows expedited procedures for projects deemed nationally significant.

Notably, the letter raises alarms about a proposed West Coast oil pipeline project seen as of national interest. The pipeline, which would transport one million barrels of crude oil daily over 1,250 kilometers, poses a threat to various species protected under the act, including the southern resident killer whale and Chinook salmon.

The scientists warn that the pipeline’s approval could have severe consequences on the orca population and their habitat, highlighting the potential risks associated with increased tanker traffic and habitat destruction. With only 75 southern resident killer whales remaining globally, the stakes are high.

Critics like David Green and UBC professor Kathryn Harrison find the government’s proposed changes worrisome, noting the unprecedented implications of these alterations. Despite the lack of a government response to the scientists’ letter, officials emphasize their commitment to species conservation under the Species At Risk Act, citing economic considerations and trade diversification as drivers for regulatory adjustments.

While the government is yet to make a decision on the proposed changes, they plan to release a report summarizing public feedback before summer concludes. The public engagement period was extended following objections from Indigenous groups and environmental organizations. Formal legislation is anticipated after Parliament reconvenes in September, with experts urging the government to carefully reassess the potential impacts of these alterations on Canada’s biodiversity.