In a recent action alert email, we asked you to reach out to Canada’s Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet requesting that they maintain strong protections for endangered species, like the Southern Resident killer whales, under their Species at Risk Act (SARA) permitting pathway.
Because of comments like yours, Canada has decided to extend the comment deadline on this important issue to July 22! Please consider submitting comments, and sharing this comment opportunity with others, if you haven’t done so already.
Canada is considering changes that would allow major industrial projects to bypass a critical safeguard in the Species at Risk Act (SARA) permitting pathway: the requirement that approved projects must not “jeopardize the survival or recovery” of endangered species.
This “jeopardy test” is one of the strongest protections in Canadian law. It ensures that projects cannot move forward if they would push endangered species, like Southern Resident killer whales, closer to extinction.
Removing or weakening this safeguard would:
- Increase the risk that Southern Residents become extinct
- Allow additional harmful impacts to already stressed habitat
- Undermine science-based decision-making
This is a critical moment to speak up.
Please join us in submitting comments asking Canada to:
- Maintain the full strength of the jeopardy test under SARA
- Uphold science-based protections for all endangered species
- Ensure that major projects do not worsen cumulative impacts on the Southern Resident killer whale population and the Salish Sea
Through the link below, we’ve provided a suggested email to the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet of Canada (engagement@pco-bcp.gc.ca) that includes responses to the three engagement questions they are requesting input on. Your comments will be even more effective if you provide your own unique concerns and insights. Be sure to submit your comments by July 22. Thank you for speaking up for the Southern Residents and the Salish Sea!
Why this Matters
Animals don’t recognize international borders. What happens in Canada directly affects the same whales that we are all working hard to protect in Washington state. With only 74 individuals remaining, Southern Resident killer whales are under intense pressure from not having enough to eat, vessel traffic impacts—including toxic discharges, underwater noise, and ship strikes—and accumulating toxic pollution in their home waters. Weakening SARA could greatly increase threats to this already struggling population.
Take Action
Sign up for Friends’ action alerts to stay informed about opportunities to participate and make your voice heard.
Learn More
- Friends of the San Juans Comment Letter on Upholding SARA in Canada
- Engagement Period Extension: Supporting Timely Decision-Making on Major Projects
- Getting Major Projects Built in Canada – Discussion Paper on Proposed Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy Reform
- Engagement: Supporting timely decision-making for major projects
- Species at Risk Act (SARA)
- Species at Risk Act (SARA) Permits: Questions and Answers
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Science Advisory Report 2022/036 in Support of SARA
- Science Advisory Report 2022/036: Science Advice to Support the Components of a Jeopardy Assessment Framework for Permitting Under the Species at Risk Act