The Species at Risk Act and the Government of Alberta
Many people have asked us why the conservation of endangered caribou herds in Alberta cannot be challenged under the Species at Risk Act of Canada. After all, according to the Government of Canada website:
"The purposes of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) are to prevent wildlife species in Canada from disappearing, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated (no longer exist in the wild in Canada), endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity, and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. A series of measures applicable across Canada provides the means to accomplish these goals. Some of these measures establish how governments, organizations, and individuals in Canada work together, while others implement a species assessment process to ensure the protection and recovery of species. Some measures provide for sanctions for offences under SARA."
The Act itself is somewhat difficult to understand and interpret, and you can read it here: SPECIES AT RISK ACT
"The purposes of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) are to prevent wildlife species in Canada from disappearing, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated (no longer exist in the wild in Canada), endangered, or threatened as a result of human activity, and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. A series of measures applicable across Canada provides the means to accomplish these goals. Some of these measures establish how governments, organizations, and individuals in Canada work together, while others implement a species assessment process to ensure the protection and recovery of species. Some measures provide for sanctions for offences under SARA."
The Act itself is somewhat difficult to understand and interpret, and you can read it here: SPECIES AT RISK ACT
So we decided to post a little easy to understand synopsis of why it is not easy to challenge the government of Alberta on the Act.
Additionally, please read this document about SARA from Janice Walton - the leading lawyer in Canada on SARA.
Photo by Monty Sloan
