Species at Risk Act (2002, c. 29)

The Species at Risk Act was established in 2002 to enable and manage for the recovery of wildlife species endangered or threatened by human activity (DOJC 2008a). The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) identifies species at risk on behalf of the Species at Risk Act.

According to the Act, a person is prohibited from killing or harming any wildlife that is considered extirpated (eliminated from its natural range), threatened or endangered. The Act also prohibits the destruction of the 'residence' or habitat where one or more threatened species is found. As part of the recovery of a extirpated, threatened or endangered species, a strategy must be prepared by the competent minister and recovery should not be delayed because of a lack of scientific certainty. The recovery strategy must be followed by an action plan detailing how to recover the threatened species.

An area may be designated as Critical Habitat if it is the residence of a listed species. A Critical Habitat cannot be destroyed according to the Act. If there is a species of special concern involved then a management plan must be made detailing measures for conservation.