Developing government response statements for four species at risk under the Endangered Species Act, 2007

Ontario provides protections for species at risk and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. We are working with stakeholders, Indigenous peoples and the public to improve the effectiveness of the species at risk program, so that we can continue to help preserve Ontario’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.

We are developing these government response statements, which are species-specific policies that identify and prioritize actions to protect and recover the species, in response to recommendations in recovery strategies. These statements provide policy direction to government and partners about what should be done to recover each of these species at risk.

These policies relate to:

• Black Redhorse (a fish found in southern Ontario)
• Silver Shiner (a fish found in southern Ontario)
• Pugnose Minnow (a fish found in southwestern Ontario)
• Carolina Mantleslug (a slug found in southwestern Ontario)

In developing these proposed government response statements, we considered the advice and input from:

• recovery strategies
• the public
• stakeholders
• Indigenous communities and organizations

Species at risk in Ontario

In Ontario, once a species is listed as endangered or threatened, there is a process for gathering information and developing policy guidance to support the protection and recovery of each species.

First, the province engages external individuals and organizations with expertise on the species to write recovery strategies. These documents form the foundation of scientific advice and can include knowledge from:

• the public
• stakeholders
• Indigenous communities and organizations

Once recovery strategies are finalized, the province develops a government response statement for each recovery strategy.

Learn more about species at risk in Ontario.

Proposed government response statements

We are proposing the following government response statements in relation to recovery strategies for:

• Black Redhorse and Silver Shiner (two fish species)
• Carolina Mantleslug
• Pugnose Minnow

Note: given their similar distribution and threats, Black Redhorse and Silver Shiner have been addressed collectively in a single government response statement. The recovery strategies for all four species were finalized on July 12, 2023.

Purpose of policy

The proposed government response statements provide species-specific direction on the actions the government intends to lead and support in the protection and recovery of the four species at risk.

We invite you to review the proposals and provide input to inform the finalization of the government response statements for these species.