Species at Risk Act annual report for 2017: chapter 3
3. Listing of species at risk
3.1 Listing process
The listing process refers to the addition to or the removal of a species from the List of Wildlife Species at Risk, Schedule 1 of the Act. Species are listed as extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern.
Once the Minister of the Environment receives the COSEWIC assessment, she has 90 days to post a response statement on the Species at Risk Public Registry indicating how the she intends on responding to each assessment and, if possible, providing timelines for action.
During this 90-day period, the relevant competent minister carries out an internal review to determine the level of public consultation and socio-economic analysis necessary to inform the listing decision. Timelines for action and the scope of consultations included in the response statement are based on the results of this initial review.
The Act establishes Schedule 1 as the official list of wildlife species at risk, which triggers the provisions under the Act. All of the species that COSEWIC assessed as being at risk prior to October 1999,were included at proclamation on SARA’s Schedule 2 (endangered and threatened) and Schedule 3 (special concern). These species are being reassessed by COSEWIC using current criteria as part of the process to determine if they should be added to Schedule 1. All Schedule 2 species have since been reassessed by COSEWIC. For Schedule 3, five species remained to be reassessed at the end of 2017.
Prior to undertaking public consultations and socio-economic analyses DFO develops science advice in the form of a Recovery Potential Assessment (RPA) for aquatic species that have been assessed by COSEWIC as threatened, endangered or extirpated. The scientific information in an RPA includes, as an example, species status, threats and limiting factors to the survival and recovery of the species, recovery targets, and feasibility of recovery in given scenarios. The RPA informs the development of advice to the Minister of DFO regarding the listing of aquatic species under SARA and is used when analyzing the socio-economic impacts and during subsequent consultations. The RPA also provides advice needed to meet other requirements of the Act, including recovery planning and permitting decisions. In 2017, DFO held three Recovery Potential Assessments peer review meetings for: Little Quarry Lake Benthic and Limnetic Stickleback, Short Face Lanx, and Sakinaw Sockeye. In 2017, the department also published three documents associated with Recovery Potential Assessments.
Figure 1 outlines the species listing process under SARA. Table 2 (see section 3.4) provides the status of the listing process for each batch of assessed species.
Figure 1: The species listing process under SARA
The Minister of the Environment receives species assessments from COSEWIC at least once per year.
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The competent departments undertake an internal review to determine the extent of public consultation and socio-economic analysis necessary to inform the listing decision.
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Within 90 days of receipt of the species assessments prepared by COSEWIC, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change publishes a response statement on the SARA Public Registry that indicates how he or she intends to respond to the assessment and, to the extent possible, provides timelines for action.
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Where appropriate, the competent departments undertake consultations and any other relevant analysis needed to prepare the advice to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
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The Minister of Environment and Climate Change forwards the assessment to the Governor in Council for receipt. This generally occurs within twelve months of posting the response statement, unless further consultation is necessary.
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Within nine months of receiving the assessment, the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, may decide whether or not to list the species under Schedule 1of SARA or refer the assessment back to COSEWIC for further information or consideration.
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Once a species is added to Schedule 1, it benefits from the applicable provisions of SARA.
For more information, go to the listing process page of the Species at risk public registry.
3.2 Federal government response to COSEWIC assessments
In October 2017, the Minister of the Environment received the assessments for 73 species in Batch 15 from COSEWIC. Of these assessments, 33 terrestrial and 23 aquatic wildlife were species at risk, which the Minister provided response statements in January 2018. The response statements (full list included in Table 2) indicate the type of consultation that will be undertaken.
- for 17 terrestrial and 11 aquatic wildlife species, normal consultations (i.e., consistent with the path that is typical for most species; see Figure 1) would be undertaken.
- for four terrestrial and seven aquatic wildlife species, extended consultations will be undertaken, because in some cases, listing these species could have marked impacts on the activities of Indigenous peoples, hunters and trappers, ranchers, commercial and recreational fishers, or Canadians at large
- for 12 terrestrial and five aquatic wildlife species already listed on Schedule 1, COSEWIC’s assessments confirmed the current status, and no changes to Schedule 1 are required
Eight of the terrestrial species and six of the aquatic species are already listed on Schedule 1 and are eligible to have their status changed: five to a higher risk category (uplist) and 9 to a lower risk category (downlist). One of the down-listed species, the Sonora Skipper, is being considered for removal from the list, as it was found to be not at risk in its latest assessment.
Species are grouped by the type of consultation that the departments will undertake.
COSEWIC risk status | Taxon | English legal name | Scientific name |
---|---|---|---|
Endangered | Lichens | Golden-eye Lichen (Great Lakes population) | Teloschistes chrysophthalmus |
Endangered | Molluscs | Eastern Banded Tigersnail | Anguispira kochi kochi |
Threatened | Birds | Lark Bunting | Calamospiza melanocorys |
Threatened | Fishes (freshwater) | Pygmy Whitefish (Great Lakes - Upper St. Lawrence populations) |
Prosopium coulterii |
Special Concern | Arthropods | Magdalen Islands Grasshopper | Melanoplus madeleineae |
Special Concern | Arthropods | Transverse Lady Beetle | Coccinella transversoguttata |
Special Concern | Birds | Evening Grosbeak | Coccothraustes vespertinus |
Special Concern | Birds | Harris's Sparrow | Zonotrichia querula |
Special Concern | Lichens | Golden-eye Lichen (Prairie / Boreal population) | Teloschistes chrysophthalmus |
Special Concern | Reptiles | Bullsnake | Pituophis catenifer sayi |
Special Concern | Vascular Plants | Long's Bulrush | Scirpus longii |
Special Concern | Fishes (freshwater) | Deepwater Sculpin (Waterton Lake population)a | Myoxocephalus thompsonii |
Special Concern | Fishes (freshwater) | Lake Sturgeon (Southern Hudson Bay - James Bay populations) | Acipenser fulvescens |
Special Concern | Fishes (freshwater) | Pygmy Whitefish (Waterton Lake population)a |
Prosopium coulterii |
↑ From Threatened to Endangered | Birds | Pink-footed Shearwater | Ardenna creatopus |
↑ From Threatened to Endangered | Reptiles | Blanding's Turtle (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence population) |
Emydoidea blandingii |
↑ From Threatened to Endangered | Fishes (freshwater) | Channel Darter (Lake Erie populations)b |
Percina copelandi |
↑ From Threatened to Endangered | Fishes (freshwater) | Channel Darter (Lake Ontario populations)b |
Percina copelandi |
↓ From Endangered to Threatened | Reptiles | Western Painted Turtle (Pacific Coast population) | Chrysemys picta bellii |
↓ From Endangered to Threatened | Vascular Plants | Spotted Wintergreen | Chimaphila maculata |
↓ From Threatened to Special Concern | Vascular Plants | Anticosti Aster | Symphyotrichum anticostense |
↓ From Endangered to Special Concern | Mosses | Rusty Cord-moss | Entosthodon rubiginosus |
↓ From Special Concern to Not at Risk | Arthropods | Sonora Skipper | Polites sonora |
↓ From Endangered to Special Concern | Molluscs | Eastern Pondmussel | Ligumia nasuta |
↓ From Threatened to Special Concern | Molluscs | Mapleleaf (Great Lakes - Upper St. Lawrence population) |
Quadrula quadrula |
↓ From Threatened to Special Concern | Fishes (freshwater) | Channel Darter (St. Lawrence populations)b |
Percina copelandi |
a Parks Canada Agency is competent minister but Department of Fisheries and Oceans will do the consultations.
b Currently listed on Schedule 1 of SARA as Channel Darter.
↓ risk status downgraded
↑ risk status upgraded
COSEWIC risk status | Taxon | English legal name | Scientific name |
---|---|---|---|
Endangered | >Mammals | Caribou (Eastern Migratory population) | Rangifer tarandus |
Endangered | >Mammals | Caribou (Torngat Mountains population) | Rangifer tarandus |
Endangered | >Fishes (freshwater) | Lake Sturgeon (Saskatchewan - Nelson River populations) | Acipenser fulvescens |
Endangered | >Fishes (freshwater) | Lake Sturgeon (Western Hudson Bay populations) | Acipenser fulvescens |
Endangered | >Fishes (marine) | Chinook Salmon (Okanagan population) | Oncorhynchus tshawytscha |
Threatened | >Fishes (freshwater) | Lake Sturgeon (Great Lakes - Upper St. Lawrence populations) |
Acipenser fulvescens |
Threatened | >Fishes (marine) | Coho Salmon (Interior Fraser population) |
Oncorhynchus kisutch |
Threatened | >Mammals | Caribou (Barren-ground population) |
Rangifer tarandus |
Special Concern | Mammals (marine) | Atlantic Walrus (Central / Low Arctic population) | Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus |
Special Concern | Mammals (marine) | Atlantic Walrus (High Arctic population) |
Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus |
↑ From Special Concern to Endangered | Arthropods | Monarch | Danaus plexippus |
↑ risk status upgraded
COSEWIC risk status | Taxon | English legal name | Scientific name |
---|---|---|---|
Endangered | Arthropods | Gold-edged Gem | Schinia avemensis |
Endangered | Birds | Burrowing Owl | Athene cunicularia |
Endangered | Birds | Prothonotary Warbler | Protonotaria citrea |
Endangered | Mammals | Ord's Kangaroo Rat | Dipodomys ordii |
Endangered | Mosses | Nugget Moss | Microbryum vlassovii |
Endangered | Reptiles | Blanding's Turtle (Nova Scotia population) |
Emydoidea blandingii |
Endangered | Vascular Plants | Butternut | Juglans cinerea |
Endangered | Vascular Plants | Western Prairie Fringed Orchid | Platanthera praeclara |
Endangered | Fishes (freshwater) | Shortnose Cisco | Coregonus reighardi |
Endangered | Fishes (freshwater) | Speckled Dace | Rhinichthys osculus |
Threatened | Fishes (freshwater) | Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Saskatchewan - Nelson Rivers populations) |
Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi |
Special concern | Fishes (freshwater) | Deepwater Sculpin (Great Lakes - Upper St. Lawrence populations) | Myoxocephalus thompsonii |
Special concern | Fishes (freshwater) | Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Pacific populations) | Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi |
Special Concern | Birds | Rusty Blackbird | Euphagus carolinus |
Special Concern | Mammals | Nuttall's Cottontail nuttallii subspecies | Sylvilagus nuttallii nuttallii |
Special Concern | Reptiles | Western Painted Turtle (Intermountain - Rocky Mountain population) | Chrysemys picta bellii |
Special Concern | Vascular Plants | American Hart's-tongue Fern | Asplenium scolopendrium var. Americanum |
COSEWIC risk status | Taxon | English legal name | Scientific name |
---|---|---|---|
↓ From Endangered to Threatened | Molluscs | Mapleleaf (Saskatchewan – Nelson Rivers population) | Quadrula quadrula |
↓ risk status downgraded
COSEWIC risk status | Taxon | English legal name | Scientific name |
---|---|---|---|
Special Concern | Fishes (marine) | Shortfin Mako (Atlantic population) | Isurus oxyrinchus |
3.3 Public consultations
Public consultations provide the Minister with a better understanding of the potential social and economic impacts of possible changes to Schedule 1, and of the potential consequences of adding or not adding a species to the list. Information collected during consultations is used to inform the Minister’s recommendations to the Governor in Council on amending Schedule 1 of SARA.
In 2017, ECCC carried out consultations for 24 terrestrial species for which status assessments had been received from COSEWIC as part of Batch 13. The document titled “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Terrestrial Species – January 2017” was posted on the species at risk public registry.
In 2017, DFO consulted Canadians on the possible listing on Schedule 1 of seven aquatic species. DFO sent consultation documents directly to other government departments, Wildlife Management Boards, stakeholders, Indigenous groups and non-governmental organizations for their input, and held meetings with potentially affected groups and organizations. Public consultations were also facilitated by inviting respondents to contribute to a web-based, species-specific survey hosted on the species at risk public registry.
3.4 Listing decisions
Governor in Council decisions on whether or not to amend Schedule 1 according to the COSEWIC assessments are published as orders amending Schedule 1 of SARA in the Canada Gazette, and include Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements. Decisions to not add a species at risk to Schedule 1 of SARA or to refer the matter back to COSEWIC are published in the Canada Gazette with an explanatory note.
In 2017, final listing decisions were made for 44 terrestrial species and 15 aquatic species. There were five orders amending Schedule 1 of SARA published in 2017. Of the 59 terrestrial and aquatic species included in these orders: 35 species were newly added to Schedule 1; 16 were reclassifications; two species were removed; one was referred back to COSEWIC for reassessment; 3 were the subject of changes to their recognized designatable units; and two were the subject of ‘do no list’ decisions.
Additionally, two proposed orders on whether or not to amend Schedule 1 of SARA according to the COSEWIC assessments for 45 species on Schedule 1 were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for a 30-day public comment period. The comments received will inform final listing decisions for these species. In June 2017, 32 terrestrial species were proposed for addition or reclassification to Schedule 1 of SARA. In November 2017, an additional 13 terrestrial species were proposed for addition or reclassification to Schedule 1 of SARA. Final decisions for these 45 species are expected in 2018.
Batch and year of Minister’s receipt | Total number of species assessedc | Assessed as at risk | Confirmation of current status | Added to Schedule 1d | Uplisted (to a higher risk category)e | Downlisted (to a lower risk category)e | Not listed | Referred back | Listing decision pending |
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(Proclamation) | - | 233 | - | 233 | - | - | - | - | - |
Batch 1 (2004) | 115 | 95 | 4 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 8f | 8f | 0 |
Batch 2 (2004) | 59 | 51 (+9g) | 0 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
Batch 3 (2005) | 73 | 59 | 4 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
Batch 4 (2006) | 68 (+5h) | 59 | 4 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
Emergency Assessment (2006) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Batch 5 (2007) | 64 | 53 | 8 | 29 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Batch 6 (2008) | 46 | 39 | 14 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Batch 7 (2009) | 48 | 46 | 17 | 19 |
3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Batch 8 (2010) | 79 | 78 | 34 | 15 | 3 |
5 | 3 | 0 | 18 |
Batch 9 (2011) | 92 | 81 | 31 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 27 |
Batch 10 (2012) | 64 | 57 | 28 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
Emergency Assessment (2012) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Batch 11 (2013) | 73 | 67 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
Batch 12 (2014) | 56 | 56 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
Batch 13 (2015) | 56 | 54 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Batch 14 (2016) | 45 | 38 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Batch 15 (2017) | 73 | 56 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 38 |
c The total includes species assessed for the first time, species being reassessed and previously assessed species that have been split into more than one designatable unit.
d The total listed as “Added to Schedule 1” may not add up to the number of species included on Schedule 1 (555) because it does not account for species that were subsequently split into more than one designatable unit with no corresponding change in status and were therefore treated as status confirmations or were subsequently removed from the list.
e The totals listed as “Uplisted (to a higher risk category)” and “Downlisted (to a lower risk category)” also account for species that were subsequently split into more than one designatable unit with a corresponding change in status and were therefore treated as reclassifications (“uplisted” or “downlisted”). In addition, removals from Schedule 1 are counted here as “downlisted”.
f One species was referred back and subsequently not listed. It is counted under “not listed.”
g Includes four wildlife species that were not listed for further consideration from Batch 1 and reconsidered in Batch 2, and five additional wildlife species when one designatable unit received by COSEWIC was split into six for listing.
h Includes five wildlife species in Batch 1 that were referred to COSEWIC and resubmitted by COSEWIC with the original assessments.
3.5 SARA Schedule 1 current status
When SARA was proclaimed in June 2003, Schedule 1 included 233 species. Starting in 2005, species have been added to the list every year, except in 2008, 2015 and 2016. As of December 31, 2017, Schedule 1 listed 24 extirpated species, 253 endangered species, 131 threatened species and 147 species of special concern, for a total of 555 species.
Year | Risk status: extirpated | Risk status: endangered | Risk status: threatened | Risk status: special Concern | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 2003 (proclamation) |
17 | 107 | 67 | 42 |
233 |
2005 | 4 | 47 | 30 | 31 | 112 |
2006 | 0 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 44 |
2007 | 0 | 20 | 5 | 11 | 36 |
2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2009 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 22 |
2010 | 0 | 11i | 8 | 4 | 23i |
2011 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 23 |
2012 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 18 |
2013 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
2014 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
0 | 3 |
2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | 1 | 18 | 15 |
20 | 54 |
Total | 24 | 253 | 131 | 147 | 555j |
i The Eastern Foxsnake was split into two populations. The new populations inherited the species’ status on Schedule 1 of SARA before it was split, and both new populations were uplisted in 2010. For the purpose of this table, one of the new Eastern Foxsnake populations was treated as an addition to Schedule 1.
j Although the total number of listed species (555) is correct, the total listed as endangered, threatened and special concern is slightly different because the values presented in this table do not reflect status changes (i.e., uplisting or downlisting of a species).
Taxon | Environment and Climate Change Canada | Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Parks Canada Agency | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial mammals | 31 | - | 4 | 35 |
Aquatic mammals | - | 24 | - | 24 |
Birds | 81 | - | 3 | 84 |
Reptiles | 37 | 3 | 5 | 45 |
Amphibians | 20 | - | 1 | 21 |
Fishes | - | 73 | - | 73 |
Molluscs | 5 |
20 | 2 | 27 |
Arthropods | 44 | - | 4 | 48 |
Plants | 154 | - | 52 | 206 |
Lichens | 13 | - | 1 | 14 |
Mosses | 14 | - | 4 | 18 |
Total | 399 | 120 | 76 | 595 |
Success story
Restoring ecosystems and species in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Sidney Island in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve protects rare coastal sand ecosystems, where marine and land environments meet. These habitats are typically kept open and ever-changing because of frequent disturbance from wind and waves. In recent years, non-native invasive plants such as Scotch broom and European beach grass have been moving in and stabilizing the shifting sands. This change is threatening the ecosystem and the survival of several rare species which depend on an open sand habitat, including the common nighthawk, the silky beach pea, and the contorted-pod evening-primrose.
To protect species at risk in the coastal sand ecosystem, Parks Canada is taking practical measures to save this ecosystem and these species. Their approach includes:
- Removing priority invasive plant species, including Scotch broom and European beach grass, from the rare coastal sand ecosystem on Sidney Spit.
- Increasing rare plant populations by sowing nursery-grown seed onto prepared habitat.
- Installing fencing and signage to improve site protection and enhance visitor facilities and learning opportunities.
- Fostering engagement with volunteers and partners to contribute to the project; collaborating with other organizations in the region involved in coastal sand ecosystem restoration.
Accomplishments
- Removed 99% of invasive shrubs
- Removed 55% of beach grass
- Grew 30,000 new endangered contorted-pod evening-primrose
- Published new interpretive signage
- 241 new volunteers, who contributed more than 1,500 hours.
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