CANADA ENDANGERED SPECIES & HABITAT AT RISK

ACTION ALERT

HELP PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES AND SPECIES HABITAT IN CANADA!!!

Human beings are dependent on the Earth's diversity of species for our survival. Wild species play a vital role in maintaining the planet's ecological functions. Yet everyday on the planet 40-100 species go extinct. There are hundreds of species in Canada currently in danger of extinction (including the Beluga Whale, the Spotted Owl and the Grizzly Bear), and many others have already been lost.

Legislation to protect endangered species in Canada is long overdue. The United States has had strong federal endangered species legislation since 1973. Canada made an international committment to producing an Endangered Species Act when we became the first signatory to the Rio Convention on Biodiversity in 1992 (required under Article 8).

On August 17th, the federal environment minister, Sheila Copps, introduced a proposal for an Endangered Species Act. Greenpeace and many other environmental groups applauded this initiative, but were appalled to learn that the legislation as proposed only applies to species on 4% of Canada's landbase. In addition, habitat protection is not guaranteed for any species. Habitat destruction is responsible for 80% of species decline in Canada.

Canada needs an effective Endangered Species Act. And a recent Angus Reid Poll found that 94% of Canadians support endangered species legislation (June 1995). The legislation that is proposed is a 'greenwash' - and may be worse than having none at all.

Greenpeace is demanding that the Federal government enact strong endangered species legislation. This means legislation that:

  • REQUIRES the protection of ALL endangered species across Canada (including freshwater species, species north of 60', and species that range across provincial and national borders)
  • provides MANDATORY protection for any critical habitat of an endangered species (not just on federal land)
  • requires the preparation and implementation of an ecosystem-based recovery plan for ALL endangered and threatened species (no one has the right to choose to simply allow a species to go extinct!)
  • prohibits killing or harming endangered species
  • requires advance review of projects that will effect endangered species or their habitat
  • does NOT allow exemptions of any activity that will threaten the survival of any species
  • provides a national safety net to ensure species don't go extinct because of provincial inaction
  • provide stiff penalties for contravention of the Act

    The bill may be introduced as early as February, 1996. Take action now to protect Canada's wild places and species!

    Write, fax or call: Prime Minister Jean Chretien, The House of Commons, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 (no postage necessary), ph.(613) 992-4211 fx.(613) 941-6900 AND Environment Minister Sheila Copps (mailing address same as above no postage necessary), ph. (613) 995-2773 fx. (613) 992-2727.

    Call or fax your local Member of Parliament. Phone 1-800-267-8683 to find our your MP's name and number.

    For more information contact: Tzeporah Berman or Karen Mahon at Greenpeace Vancouver, 1726 Commerical Dr. Vancouver B.C. V5N 4A3 ph.(604) 253-7701 fx. (604) 253-0114