Species At Risk & The Métis Nation

Why should we be concerned about Species at Risk?

Within Canada, there are greater than 70,000 wild species, and 5% of these wild species are known to be at risk. It has been suggested that an additional 5% may be at risk as well. This is an alarming number; something must be done before we lose the species richness and biological diversity that keeps our natural environment healthy.

Species At Risk Act (SARA) - Species at Risk Legislation

The first global comprehensive agreement to address the disappearance of species and conservation of biodiversity was the Convention on Biological Diversity (signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 RioEarth Summit).

This convention is a fundamental part of the global awareness of and movement toward, sustainable developement and is the precursor of Canada's Species at Risk Act.

In February 2001, the proposed Species at Risk Act (SARA) was re-introduced as Bill C-5. Since the inception of SARA, the MNC has been actively involved with the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and a number of other Aboriginal Organizations in putting forth recommendations regarding the protection of endangered and/or threatened species and their critical habitats on all lands in Canada.

SARA is now approaching the implementation phase; as a member of the National Aboriginal Council on Species At Risk (NACOSAR), the MNC regards continued participation with enthusiasm.

Funding for Species at Risk Recovery Programs

Species considered “Threatened" under SARA require that a recovery strategy be developed. These strategies identify what needs to be done to arrest or reverse the species' decline. Recovery goals and objectives are identified for each species. From this the strategy is developed that includes a list of suggested activities under the following headings: research and monitoring; habitat stewardship, protection and management; and implementation. Funds are available from the government for implementing action plans.

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP) is one of the five main federal funding programs that are centered on the protection and recovery of species at risk and are being implemented by Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Parks Canada Agency. The four other federal funding programs directly involved in the protection and recovery of species at risk are the Interdepartmental Recovery Fund, the Endangered Species Recovery Fund, the Aboriginal Capacity Building Fund and the Aboriginal Critical Habitat Protection Fund."

Basically what the government wants is to either verify that its proposed recovery strategy is appropriate, or suggest changes based on what we know.

There are opportunities for those who wish to become involved. See the following websites for further information.

The Habitat Stewardship Program

Interdepartmental Recovery Fund

Endangered Species Recovery Fund

Aboriginal Capacity Building Fund and the the Aboriginal Critical Habitat Protection Fund