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Species at Risk Act (S.C. 2002, c. 29)

Assented to 2002-12-12

Marginal note:Recommendation to amend List

 If COSEWIC makes a recommendation under paragraph 30(1)(b) or (c), the Minister may make a recommendation to the Governor in Council with respect to amending the List.

MEASURES TO PROTECT LISTED WILDLIFE SPECIES

General Prohibitions

Marginal note:Killing, harming, etc., listed wildlife species
  •  (1) No person shall kill, harm, harass, capture or take an individual of a wildlife species that is listed as an extirpated species, an endangered species or a threatened species.

  • Marginal note:Possession, collection, etc.

    (2) No person shall possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual of a wildlife species that is listed as an extirpated species, an endangered species or a threatened species, or any part or derivative of such an individual.

  • Marginal note:Deeming

    (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), any animal, plant or thing that is represented to be an individual, or a part or derivative of an individual, of a wildlife species that is listed as an extirpated species, an endangered species or a threatened species is deemed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be such an individual or a part or derivative of such an individual.

Marginal note:Damage or destruction of residence

 No person shall damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals of a wildlife species that is listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, or that is listed as an extirpated species if a recovery strategy has recommended the reintroduction of the species into the wild in Canada.

Marginal note:Application — certain species in provinces
  •  (1) With respect to individuals of a listed wildlife species that is not an aquatic species or a species of birds that are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, sections 32 and 33 do not apply in lands in a province that are not federal lands unless an order is made under subsection (2) to provide that they apply.

  • Marginal note:Order

    (2) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, by order, provide that sections 32 and 33, or either of them, apply in lands in a province that are not federal lands with respect to individuals of a listed wildlife species that is not an aquatic species or a species of birds that are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

  • Marginal note:Obligation to make recommendation

    (3) The Minister must recommend that the order be made if the Minister is of the opinion that the laws of the province do not effectively protect the species or the residences of its individuals.

  • Marginal note:Consultation

    (4) Before recommending that the Governor in Council make an order under subsection (2), the Minister must consult

    • (a) the appropriate provincial minister; and

    • (b) if the species is found in an area in respect of which a wildlife management board is authorized by a land claims agreement to perform functions in respect of wildlife species, the wildlife management board.

Marginal note:Application — certain species in territories
  •  (1) Sections 32 and 33 apply in each of the territories in respect of a listed wildlife species only to the extent that the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister, makes an order providing that they, or any of them, apply.

  • Marginal note:Exception

    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply

    • (a) in respect of individuals of aquatic species and their habitat or species of birds that are migratory birds protected by the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; or

    • (b) on land under the authority of the Minister or the Parks Canada Agency.

  • Marginal note:Obligation to make recommendation

    (3) The Minister must recommend that the order be made if the Minister is of the opinion that the laws of the territory do not effectively protect the species or the residences of its individuals.

  • Marginal note:Pre-conditions for recommendation

    (4) Before recommending that an order be made under subsection (1), the Minister must

    • (a) consult the appropriate territorial minister; and

    • (b) if the species is found in an area in respect of which a wildlife management board is authorized by a land claims agreement to perform functions in respect of wildlife species, consult the wildlife management board.

Marginal note:Prohibitions re provincial and territorial classifications
  •  (1) If a wildlife species that is not listed has been classified as an endangered species or a threatened species by a provincial or territorial minister, no person shall

    • (a) kill, harm, harass, capture or take an individual of that species that is on federal lands in the province or territory;

    • (b) possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual of that species that is on federal lands in the province or territory, or any part or derivative of such an individual; or

    • (c) damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals of that species that is on federal lands in the province or territory.

  • Marginal note:Application

    (2) Subsection (1) applies only in respect of the portions of the federal lands that the Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the competent minister, by order, specify.

Recovery of Endangered, Threatened and Extirpated Species

Recovery Strategy

Marginal note:Preparation — endangered or threatened species
  •  (1) If a wildlife species is listed as an extirpated species, an endangered species or a threatened species, the competent minister must prepare a strategy for its recovery.

  • Marginal note:More than one competent minister

    (2) If there is more than one competent minister with respect to the wildlife species, they must prepare the strategy together and every reference to competent minister in sections 38 to 46 is to be read as a reference to the competent ministers.

Marginal note:Commitments to be considered

 In preparing a recovery strategy, action plan or management plan, the competent minister must consider the commitment of the Government of Canada to conserving biological diversity and to the principle that, if there are threats of serious or irreversible damage to the listed wildlife species, cost-effective measures to prevent the reduction or loss of the species should not be postponed for a lack of full scientific certainty.

Marginal note:Cooperation with others
  •  (1) To the extent possible, the recovery strategy must be prepared in cooperation with

    • (a) the appropriate provincial and territorial minister for each province and territory in which the listed wildlife species is found;

    • (b) every minister of the Government of Canada who has authority over federal land or other areas on which the species is found;

    • (c) if the species is found in an area in respect of which a wildlife management board is authorized by a land claims agreement to perform functions in respect of wildlife species, the wildlife management board;

    • (d) every aboriginal organization that the competent minister considers will be directly affected by the recovery strategy; and

    • (e) any other person or organization that the competent minister considers appropriate.

  • Marginal note:Land claims agreement

    (2) If the listed wildlife species is found in an area in respect of which a wildlife management board is authorized by a land claims agreement to perform functions in respect of wildlife species, the recovery strategy must be prepared, to the extent that it will apply to that area, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.

  • Marginal note:Consultation

    (3) To the extent possible, the recovery strategy must be prepared in consultation with any landowners and other persons whom the competent minister considers to be directly affected by the strategy, including the government of any other country in which the species is found.

Marginal note:Determination of feasibility

 In preparing the recovery strategy, the competent minister must determine whether the recovery of the listed wildlife species is technically and biologically feasible. The determination must be based on the best available information, including information provided by COSEWIC.

Marginal note:Contents if recovery feasible
  •  (1) If the competent minister determines that the recovery of the listed wildlife species is feasible, the recovery strategy must address the threats to the survival of the species identified by COSEWIC, including any loss of habitat, and must include

    • (a) a description of the species and its needs that is consistent with information provided by COSEWIC;

    • (b) an identification of the threats to the survival of the species and threats to its habitat that is consistent with information provided by COSEWIC and a description of the broad strategy to be taken to address those threats;

    • (c) an identification of the species’ critical habitat, to the extent possible, based on the best available information, including the information provided by COSEWIC, and examples of activities that are likely to result in its destruction;

    • (c.1) a schedule of studies to identify critical habitat, where available information is inadequate;

    • (d) a statement of the population and distribution objectives that will assist the recovery and survival of the species, and a general description of the research and management activities needed to meet those objectives;

    • (e) any other matters that are prescribed by the regulations;

    • (f) a statement about whether additional information is required about the species; and

    • (g) a statement of when one or more action plans in relation to the recovery strategy will be completed.

  • Marginal note:Contents if recovery not feasible

    (2) If the competent minister determines that the recovery of the listed wildlife species is not feasible, the recovery strategy must include a description of the species and its needs, an identification of the species’ critical habitat to the extent possible, and the reasons why its recovery is not feasible.

  • Marginal note:Multi-species or ecosystem approach permissible

    (3) The competent minister may adopt a multi-species or an ecosystem approach when preparing the recovery strategy if he or she considers it appropriate to do so.

  • Marginal note:Regulations

    (4) The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister after consultation with the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, make regulations for the purpose of paragraph (1)(e) prescribing matters to be included in a recovery strategy.

 

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