Additional time required to prepare management plan for Eastern Migratory Caribou under the Endangered Species Act, 2007

Protecting and recovering species at risk in Ontario

Under the Endangered Species Act, 2007, management plans provide recommendations on the protection and recovery of special concern species. A management plan is to be prepared within five years for special concern species from the time a species is added to, or has its status changed on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List to a special concern species.

These time limits may be extended if the minister believes that additional time is required because of either:

• the complexity of the issues
• the desire to prepare the management plan in co-operation with one or more other jurisdictions, or
• the desire to give priority to the preparation of recovery strategies or management plans for other species

Developing a Management Plan for Eastern Migratory Caribou

On August 1, 2018, Eastern Migratory Caribou were added to the SARO List as special concern triggering the requirement to develop a management plan for this species by August 1, 2023.

We require more time to complete the management plan for Eastern Migratory Caribou due to the complexity of the issues involved, including:

• range overlap and exchange of individuals with Boreal Caribou populations (listed as threatened in Ontario)
• interjurisdictional distribution and movement of individuals (i.e. between Ontario and Manitoba)
• giving Indigenous communities, other jurisdictions and stakeholders, representing a diversity of interests, opportunities to provide input
• allowing for sufficient time to incorporate the best available scientific information into the management plan
• ongoing development of the federal government’s approach for the species under the Species At Risk Act (Canada)

We anticipate the management plan will be finalized by August 1, 2028.

As a special concern species, Eastern Migratory Caribou is not endangered or threatened, but may become threatened or endangered due to a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.

Under sections 9 and 10 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007, special concern species do not receive species or habitat protections. However, actions to protect and recover species at risk may continue in the absence of these protections, or of a final management plan.

The delay in the preparation of the management plan for Eastern Migratory Caribou will not jeopardize the survival or recovery of this species in Ontario.

Ontario is working with partners, 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.