How a Good Law Went Wrong: the failure of SARA implementation

Susan Pinkus, Senior Scientist Ecojustice  

©Wayne Lynch

“This is a story about the creation and application of policy by the Minister in clear contravention of the law, and a reluctance to be held accountable for failure to follow the law.” (Environmental Defense Canada v. Min of Fisheries and Oceans, 2009 FC 878)

©Mike Pearson

Any effective endangered species law must provide:

transparent, sound science -- SARA ss. 15; 40; 41(1); 73(3); 80(2)

protection of biologically relevant critical habitat -- SARA ss. 41(1); 58; 61; 80

© Milo Burcham

The ecological reality of what species need will determine whether they survive and recover.

SARA Should Work to Recover Species, if Implemented

Evading SARA’s Requirements

• Not identifying Critical Habitat

• Not protecting Critical Habitat

• Setting insufficient recovery objectives

• Ignoring imminent threats

© Jim Zuckerman

Failed Implementation: Identifying Critical Habitat

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

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45With CHWithout CH

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JudgmentLawsuits

Failed Implementation:Nooksack Dace Litigation

“To conform with current policy…the following discussion on critical habitat … does not make specific geospatial recommendations.”

- Nooksack dace, July 2007

• Recovery team mapped critical habitat• Federal government deleted the maps

“While a considerable amount is known…several knowledge gaps and technical activities must be addressed before critical habitat can be identified.” – Recovery Strategy for Greater Sage-Grouse

Failed Implementation: Protecting Critical Habitat

Failed Implementation: Insufficient Recovery Objectives

Rec

over

y A

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tion

2006 2007 2008 2009-2011

2010 20111.95

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Loss of Scientific Integrity:DFO Eliminates Recovery Teams

© Mike Pearson

Failed Implementation: Ignoring Imminent Threats

SARA s.80“The…minister must make the recommendation if…the species faces imminent threats to its survival or recovery.”

© Milo Burcham

The ecological reality of what species need will determine whether they survive and recover.

Acknowledgements

• Jeannette Whitton and colleagues (UBC)• Rick Taylor and Jordan Rosenfeld (UBC)• Scott Findlay and Sue McKee (U of Ottawa)• Sean Nixon, Will Amos, Devon Page, Annie

Fernback (Ecojustice)