EDITORIAL STORY
Little security for species at risk
Legislation has too many loopholes to ensure that endangered birds and animals are saved

Times Colonist
Saturday, March 06, 2004

The Species At Risk Act has been criticized as close to useless in protecting wildlife in danger of extinction. One of its merits, however, was that it relied on the advice of expert scientists to identify what species are at risk, though cabinet could overrule their assessments.

Now, Environment Minister David Anderson has ensured there won't be a purely scientific basis for listing species as endangered and therefore deserving protection -- he's called for so-called public consultation before the act comes into force June 1.

As the minister acknowledges, it is to be the "political" component in determining what species are at risk, by which he means weighing social or economic interests against the scientific evidence. He says he's surprised that this should raise concern because "after all, we do live in a democracy."

It's as if taxpayers were asked by the government how much they should pay in taxes, or as if motorists were invited to say why they shouldn't have to stop at stop signs.

Anderson doesn't apparently have town-hall meetings or national surveys in mind. He wants to consult with people who really know what they're talking about -- landowners, ranchers, loggers, fishermen and trappers.

To expect people who make a living by killing birds and animals decide whether to spare the last surviving members of their quarries seems a bit odd.

We've already seen the Atlantic cod approach extinction because of the greed of fishermen. Are we to expect trappers to decide whether the wolverine should remain on the endangered list, or ranchers to stand up for the gophers that leave dangerous holes in rangeland?

If this process were extended to the public, cuddly things like the Vancouver Island marmot, or spectacular beasts like the humpback whale might be saved, but no one would lift a finger to save the warty jumping slug, the Salish sucker or the stinkpot.

It's bad enough that cabinet can overrule our scientists to determine what species get endangered status -- now it's looking for excuses to do so.

The act, of course, only allows measures to be taken to protect endangered species in national parks, on military bases, along transcontinental railways and other areas of federal jurisdiction. In an emergency, the federal cabinet can order provincial governments to take steps for species on provincially regulated lands, but Anderson has made it clear Ottawa is loathe to use "the club."

That's why the spotted owl, if the loggers to be consulted allow it to remain in the "endangered" column, will move soon to the "extirpated" list.