Canada's species-at-risk law leaves hundreds of wildlife awaiting protection

A new analysis of Canada’s Species at Risk Act reveals that out of 288 wildlife species evaluated as endangered or threatened since 2017, just 17 were formally listed by the Governor in Council within the government’s own timeline, and 153 are still pending as of January 2025. The bottleneck arises because the law sets recommended, but not legally binding, deadlines for the minister to forward COSEWIC assessments to the cabinet, allowing cases to linger indefinitely.

Without a formal listing, protections such as bans on killing or habitat preservation cannot be applied, especially for aquatic species that rely on federal jurisdiction. The study highlights delayed listings for caribou, beluga whales and lake sturgeon, among others, and notes that no marine mammals or fish assessed during the period had been moved forward by the cutoff date. Experts argue the gap lets governments avoid making tough choices between conservation and economic interests, underscoring the need for clearer timelines.