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

Description of policy

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.

In developing these draft 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:

• Fawnsfoot and Threehorn Wartyback (two mussel species)
• Lilliput (a mussel species)
• Shagreen and Toothed Globe (two snail species)
• White-rimmed Shingle Lichen (a lichen)

Note: given their similar distribution and threats, the snail species (Shagreen and Toothed Globe) and the mussel species (Fawnsfoot, Lilliput and Threehorn Wartyback) have each been addressed collectively in two government response statements.

The recovery strategies for all six species were finalized on January 25, 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 six species at risk.

The purpose of this notice is to:

• inform the public that draft government response statements have been prepared
• seek feedback on the draft documents

The province will consider comments as we finalize the government response statements. Please reference Environmental Registry number 019-6985 in the comments you submit.