The species conservation act…

The Species Conservation Act (2025, SCA) repeals and replaces the Endangered Species Act (2007, ESA) and removes important protections from wildlife that have already been limited to focus on economic gains. Strengthening policies, raising awareness, prioritizing species recovery, and promoting sustainable practices are among the most important recommendations for mitigating the impact of human activities on wildlife, which the SCA largely overlooks (Ahmad et al, 2023).
The COSSARO is an independent committee appointed by the Minister and needs to be from a scientific background, community or indigenous knowledge, which is positive. However, the Minister can use his/her own discretion and does not have to list all species noted by COSSARO. Scientific assessments can be disregarded in favour of economic benefit. There is a conflict of interest in listing species at risk by allowing the provincial government to make this decision. Furthermore, according to section 61, the Minister is not required to disclose all reports to the public.
Over 100 species are losing protections under the SCA compared to the ESA (1), and species’ “fundamental habitats” have been narrowed to their immediate dwellings. This difference in defined geographic area permits activities that impinge upon species’ true habitats. Species loss is devastating - plants and wildlife alike contribute to ecosystem services that promote a sustainable system, and the benefits of ecological services even in urbanized areas are known to create more resilient living spaces (Elmqvist et al., 2015).
Another important difference in this new legislation is the lack of accountability for human activity causing damage to the environment and wildlife. The SCA has eliminated the requirement for recovery strategies and progress reports that are crucial for conservation. Although section 25 indicates that the Minister “may” allocate grants for the species conservation program, this statement does not guarantee funding.
In summary, several aspects of this act prioritize economic development and do not support a sustainable future. Numerous environmental protections are being removed from the current legislature. It is incredibly important to stress: once a species is extinct, we cannot bring that species back.