Question Period Note: Old Growth Forest-Dependent Species at Risk iIn British Columbia

Old Growth Forest-Dependent Species at Risk iIn British Columbia

• BC’s old growth forests are home to many species at risk including Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, Southern Mountain Caribou, and Northern Goshawk.
• We are committed to collaborating towards the recovery and protection of forest-dependent species at risk in BC. This includes support for Indigenous-led conservation efforts.
• These forests and species are found on provincial lands and we continue to look to the province to protect and recover species at risk on these lands and to manage its forestry sector.
• While the federal government continues to prioritize work with BC and partners on these issues, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change will use the authorities outlined in federal legislation if BC protection efforts are determined to be ineffective.

• BC commissioned a strategic review of old growth forestry practices. The final report for that review was tabled prior to the last provincial election and the subsequent government has committed to implementing its recommendations. One of the recommendations was to change forestry management to take greater account of the needs of species at risk.
• ENGOs, concerned individuals, and now Ecojustice on behalf of the Wilderness Committee, have used the provisions of the Species at Risk Act as a lever to influence BC forest policy, pressing for protection of the individuals, residences, and critical habitat of SARA-listed species.
• In July 2021, Ecojustice petitioned Minister Wilkinson to use federal protections under the Species at Risk Act to protect Marbled Murrelet, Northern Goshawk laingi, and Western Screech Owl kennicottii. In September, Ecojustice petitioned the Minister to protect the critical habitat of Marbled Murrelet, a migratory bird, on non-federal land.
• Protection of old growth forests has been a key topic of discussion with BC in the context of negotiating a Bilateral Nature Agreement under the Enhanced Nature Legacy.
• During the last campaign, the Liberal Party of Canada’s platform included a pledge of $50 million towards protection of old growth forests in BC.
• Ecojustice has indicated that they plan to use 10 old growth dependent SAR to pressure BC to change their forestry policies.
• Many species listed under the Species at Risk Act depend entirely or partly on old growth forests and older forests. These include Marbled Murrelet, Northern Goshawk laingi, Western Screech Owl kennicottii, Spotted Owl caurina, Southern Mountain Caribou, and a number of mollusc, plant, moss, and lichen species.
• ECCC is proposing to advance a multi-species recovery approach, in collaboration with Indigenous people and BC, to optimize recovery efforts in older forests. Early discussions with BC to share and possibly align priorities are under way

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