Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 hr ago
Most at-risk Canadian species missed listing timelines
Since 2017, only 17 of 288 recommended species reached cabinet on time under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
An independent panel assesses each species, but the federal government makes the final decision after consultations.
The law sets deadlines for the first and last steps, but the middle stage has no legal deadline.
After the government set recommended timelines in 2017, the share reaching cabinet on time fell from 16% to 6%.
As of January 2025, 181 species were still waiting, and 153 had passed their deadline.
No marine fish or mammals assessed since 2017 had reached cabinet by then, while the waiting list included 31 endangered or threatened Pacific salmon populations.
The researchers say delays can increase the risk of extinction, and they link many marine delays to concerns about effects on fisheries, though they could not measure that influence directly.
Only 17 of 288 wildlife species recommended for listing under Canada’s Species at Risk Act since 2017 reached cabinet within recommended timelines.
The study found that delays occurred in a ministerial review and consultation stage that has no legal deadline.
By January 2025, 181 species assessed since 2017 were still waiting, and 153 had passed their recommended deadline.
No marine fish or marine mammals assessed since 2017 had been sent to cabinet by January 2025.
The researchers said concern about effects on fisheries appeared to be linked to many marine delays, though they could not measure that influence directly.
- Who
- Researchers led by Peter Thompson studied species assessed as at risk under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
- What
- Most species recommended for listing since 2017 did not reach cabinet within recommended timelines.
- When
- The study covers assessments since 2017; the waiting-list figures are as of January 2025.
- Where
- Canada.
- Why
- The middle stage of the listing process has no legal deadline. The authors said many marine delays appeared linked to concerns about effects on fisheries, but they could not measure that influence directly.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government published recommended timelines for the middle stage of the listing process.
Experts recommended 288 wildlife species for listing, and 17 reached cabinet within the recommended timelines.
A government report to Parliament said information needed for decisions on 31 Pacific salmon populations was extensive and underway.
181 species assessed since 2017 were still waiting, including 153 that had passed their recommended deadline.
- Species recommended for listing since 2017
- 288
- Reached cabinet within recommended timelines
- 17, about 6%
- Species still waiting as of January 2025
- 181
- Waiting species past recommended deadline
- 153
- Marine fish and mammals sent to cabinet by January 2025
- 0 of 49 marine fish and 15 marine mammals
What people are saying
When endangered species are left in endless political limbo, the chance of them going extinct increases, which is really against the best interests of those who care.
Canada boasts a wonderful array of wildlife and Canadians care about protecting our biodiversity,