1. How a Good Law Went Wrong:
the failure of SARA implementation
Susan Pinkus, Senior Scientist
Ecojustice
©Wayne Lynch

2. “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

4. 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

5. The ecological reality of what species need will
determine whether they survive and recover.
© Milo Burcham

6. SARA Should Work to Recover Species,
if Implemented

7. Evading SARA’s Requirements
• Not identifying Critical Habitat
• Not protecting Critical Habitat
• Setting insufficient recovery objectives
• Ignoring imminent threats
© Jim Zuckerman

8. Failed Implementation:
Identifying Critical Habitat
Lawsuits Judgment
45
With CH
40
Without CH
35
Species per Year
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

9. Failed Implementation:
Nooksack Dace Litigation
• Recovery team mapped critical habitat
• Federal government deleted the maps
“To conform with current policy…
the following discussion on critical
habitat … does not make specific
geospatial recommendations.”
- Nooksack dace, July 2007

10. “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

11. Failed Implementation:
Protecting Critical Habitat

12. Failed Implementation:
Insufficient Recovery Objectives
4.00
2.30
2.25
Recovery Ambition
2.20
2.15
2.10
2.05
2.00
1.95
2006 2007 2008 2009-2011

13. Loss of Scientific Integrity:
DFO Eliminates Recovery Teams
© Mike Pearson

14. 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.”

15. The ecological reality of what species need will
determine whether they survive and recover.
© Milo Burcham

16. 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)