Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council Meeting

Iqaluit - August 15, 2000 -- Federal, provincial and territorial Wildlife Ministers have reconfirmed their conviction that the protection of species at risk in Canada is a shared responsibility, and that progress on wildlife issues can only be achieved by working together cooperatively.

"As Ministers responsible for Wildlife, we are committed to work cooperatively with all jurisdictions for the recovery of Species at risk for future generations." said Alberta Environment Minister Halvar C. Jonson, the Minister responsible for wildlife in Alberta, who co-chaired the meeting with federal Environment Minister David Anderson.

Ministers made progress on a number of issues at the annual meetings of the Wildlife Ministers Council of Canada (WMCC) and of the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC). They discussed mechanisms for the implementation of the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk in Canada, and discussed the Government of Canada's proposed Species At Risk Act (SARA). They explored ways of making the Council more effective as a forum for providing general direction for the protection of species at risk in Canada, including the establishment of a framework for bilateral agreements under the Accord.

The Ministers were updated on the review the Government of Canada is undertaking on the issues with respect to compensation under SARA. Ministers agreed to aggressively pursue reporting on the General Status of Wild Species in Canada with a commitment under the Accord to continue to complete status assessments and report on them every five years.

The CESCC adopted the 10th annual Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife (RENEW) report, which provides information about the status of recovery planning in Canada in 1999-2000. The report summarizes the resources invested in each species recovery program and describes the recovery planning process. There are currently 47 recovery teams in place. Seventeen recovery plans have been approved, three are awaiting approval and another 21 are in draft form. In 1999-2000, 120 organizations made financial contributions to support recovery efforts. About $14.4 million was spent on recovery initiatives, covering about 75 species. These initiatives provided the equivalent of 100 full time jobs, and 16 full time volunteer positions.

Ministers agreed on an approach to stewardship programs for landowners and land managers for the conservation of species at risk. They agreed that enhanced stewardship programs to protect wildlife habitat are a key component of an effective approach to the protection of species at risk, and they tasked Wildlife Directors with establishing national and regional coordinating bodies to implement Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program.

Ministers reviewed the progress made to date in implementing the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, and reiterated their commitment to federal-provincial-territorial cooperation. Progress under the Strategy will be highlighted in Canada's second national report under the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio plus ten meeting in 2002. They also discussed the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), and endorsed the strategic directions that NABCI is taking, which includes.coordination of all bird conservation programs under one umbrella.

The CESCC received the annual report of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This is the first time that COSEWIC has reported its findings directly to the CESCC. The annual report includes the list of Canadian species at risk. There are now 353 wild species in various risk categories on the list, which includes results from the re-assessments of 123 species conducted by COSEWIC at its meeting in May. Ministers congratulated COSEWIC for its hard work in completing the assessments.

Ministers agreed to integrate Aboriginal traditional knowledge into the assessment of the status of wildlife species because of its relevance and importance. They noted that the re-assessments of the status of several species, including the Woodland Caribou and the Wood Bison, required additional Aboriginal Traditional and Community knowledge.

"Aboriginal people are valuable partners in the protection of wildlife and must be directly involved," said Minister Anderson. "We will consult closely with them to establish an Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge Specialist Group so that they can provide input on status assessments".

Ministers also discussed Wildlife issues with Aboriginal leaders from across the country. It is the first time the two groups have met formally. "The Government of Canada, the provinces, the territories, and the Aboriginal peoples, all show a genuine desire to work together to protect wildlife in Canada," said Minister Anderson.

Ontario will host next year's meetings, which will be held in Toronto.

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For more information, please contact::

Johanne Beaulieu
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Minister of the Environment
(819) 953-2101

Glenn Guenther
Director of Communications
Alberta Environment
(780) 427-8636
(780 427-1874 (fax)