Deadline for public feedback on SARA dismantling

Action alert: It’s not just endangered species being undermined by federal fast tracking of major projects, it’s also the SARA legislation that protects them.

As part of the federal government’s desire to advance One Canadian Economy through trade and transportation, a discussion paper has been developed that identifies changes to existing legislation and processes that protect species and the environment.

A key proposal is to override section 73(3)(c) of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), a direction that would remove one of the Act’s most important safeguards: the requirement that federally authorized activities not jeopardize the survival or recovery of endangered species. Weakening this would have direct implications for Southern Resident killer whales, which the federal government has already determined face an imminent threat to their survival and recovery.

Recovery of these killer whales depends on reducing threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from shipping. Yet these threats are not being reduced; instead, the quality of their critical habitat continues to deteriorate as shipping and industrial activity expand.

We support efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty, but not by dismantling the laws that protect our most endangered wildlife. Section 73(3)(c) currently provides an essential legal test for projects such as Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and other developments that would increase underwater noise and further degrade killer whale habitat. 

Removing this safeguard risks eroding public confidence, increasing legal uncertainty, and delaying rather than accelerating project approvals. More fundamentally, it asks Canadians to accept the possible extinction of endangered species as the price of industrial expansion. Canada should strengthen its economy while upholding high environmental standards and protecting the natural heritage that sustains coastal ecosystems, communities, and future generations.

Suggested feedback; it’s more effective to make this your own

I strongly oppose the proposal to override section 73(3)(c) of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) as part of building One Canadian Economy. Doing so, as proposed in the discussion paper, would remove one of SARA’s most important safeguards: the requirement that federally authorized activities not jeopardize the survival or recovery of endangered species. 

This provision is intended to prevent projects from pushing endangered species closer to extinction. Weakening it would have direct implications for Southern Resident killer whales, which the federal government has already determined face an imminent threat to their survival and recovery. Their recovery depends on reducing threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from shipping. Yet these threats are not being reduced; instead, the quality of their critical habitat continues to deteriorate as shipping and industrial activity expand.

I support efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty, but not by dismantling the laws that protect endangered species. Removing this safeguard for projects such as Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and other developments that would increase underwater noise and disturbance would further diminish the prospects for recovery of Southern Resident killer whales and ask Canadians to accept the possible extinction of this iconic population as the price of industrial expansion.

Send to Minister Gregor Robertson, and other West coast MPs

Suggested letter; it’s more effective if you make this your own.

Honorable Minister Gregor Robertson
House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0A6
Main office – Vancouver, 360 – 3150 54th Ave E, Vancouver, British Columbia V5S 1Z1

Email: gregor [dot] robertson [at] parl [dot] gc [dot] ca

I am writing as a resident greatly concerned about the changes proposed to Canada’s Species at Risk Ask as part of the building One Canadian Economy. The provision in SARA is designed to prevent projects from pushing endangered species closer to extinction. Weakening it would have direct implications for Southern Resident killer whales, which the federal government has already determined face an imminent threat to their survival and recovery. Recovery of these killer whales depends on reducing threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from shipping. Yet these threats are not being reduced; instead, the quality of their critical habitat continues to deteriorate as shipping and industrial activity expand.

I support efforts to strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty, but not by dismantling the laws that protect endangered species. Removing this safeguard for projects such as Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and other developments that would increase underwater noise and disturbance in Critical Habitat would further diminish the prospects for recovery of Southern Resident killer whales and ask Canadians to accept the possible extinction of this iconic population as the price of industrial expansion.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]