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Environment Minister Christine Stewart met with the provincial and territorial wildlife ministers at the end of September to discuss federal endangered species legislation. Such legislation has been considered several times, the most recent being Bill C65 which died on the order table in 1996. Ms. Stewart stated her desire to “craft a new piece of legislation that will have the effect of protecting all species at risk in this country.”
However, scientists and conservationists were disturbed to hear that the federal and provincial wildlife ministers have recently made changes to the functioning of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This committee, which was established in 1977, consists of university and government scientists, conservation groups and government representatives who make the decision on whether or not to list species as endangered.
The ministers have removed the voting rights of the six university scientists on COSEWIC and have replaced the three national conservation organizations with government appointees. There is grave concern that removing the input of the scientists will undermine the credibility of the committee.
