Ministers Take Steps to Protect Diversity of Species

NATURAL RESOURCES--Ministers Take Steps to Protect Diversity of Species

Ten years after the Rio Earth Summit, federal, provincial and territorial Forest, Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers have renewed their commitment to work together to implement the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by Canada in 1992.

"The diversity of biological life in Canada provides enormous ecological, biological, economic, cultural and spiritual benefits to Canadians," said Nova Scotia's Natural Resources Minister, Tim Olive, who co-chaired the meeting with David Anderson, federal Minister of the Environment. "The recent World Summit on Sustainable Development highlighted the importance of conserving the biodiversity of the planet, and we stand by our commitment to do our part."

The ministers today reviewed progress on priorities for action under the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, which was issued in 1996 as Canada's response to the Biological Diversity Convention. As part of this review, they approved a national blueprint for addressing the threat of invasive alien species.

"Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to Canada's biodiversity, economy and society. There is a growing urgency for action, and we are developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen our efforts to address this threat," said Mr. Anderson. "The plan will seek to prevent new alien species from invading Canada and will propose measures to eradicate, contain and control those that are already established. It will also provide for a monitoring and reporting system to track the effectiveness of the measures taken."

The ministers also approved Canada's Stewardship Agenda, which will increase participation by Canadians in biodiversity conservation.

"Canada's Stewardship Agenda will help Canadians work together to protect habitat, contribute to the recovery of species at risk and conserve our natural heritage for generations to come," said Mr. Olive. "I am particularly proud of the multi-species approach adopted by Nova Scotia's Atlantic Coastal Plains Plants Recovery project, which has received support from the Habitat Stewardship Program. Stewardship projects are under way in every province and territory."

Mr. Anderson briefed his provincial and territorial colleagues on the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and stressed the importance of joint action.

"Many of the environmental challenges we face in Canada straddle jurisdictional borders, and thus we all have responsibilities within our jurisdictions for many issues, including the protection of species at risk and the habitats on which they depend. It is imperative that we work together at all levels of government to address these issues, and that Canadians -- including landowners, farmers, fishers, Aboriginal Peoples and conservation groups -- continue to be involved."

Mr. Anderson tabled Canada's Forest Biodiversity report on behalf of federal Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal.

"This report shows that Canada's forest community is meeting its commitment on biodiversity," said Mr. Olive, who also chaired Tuesday's meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers.

Ernest Fage, Nova Scotia's Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and chair of the federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers, outlined the linkages between the new national agriculture policy framework and the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy.

At the meeting of the Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC), the ministers reviewed a number of initiatives in support of the objectives of the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk.

They released response statements for 32 species that were designated threatened, endangered or extirpated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 2001. Response statements summarize the approach and actions that each government proposes to protect and recover listed species within their boundaries.

CESCC ministers released the annual report for COSEWIC, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2002. The council also released the 12th annual Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife report, which summarizes recovery action and planning under way for threatened, endangered or extirpated species in Canada.

Wildlife ministers acknowledged the need to respond to the growing incidence of diseases that affect wildlife in Canada and endorsed a strategy to enhance the capacity of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre. This centre of excellence in wildlife diseases is managed and funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments, Canada's four veterinary colleges and other partners.