Excerpts from the introductory statement on December 12, 2002 respecting the protection of wildlife species at risk Act.

"Canada's natural heritage in an integral part of our national identity and history...

Wildlife, in all its forms, has value in and of itself and is valued by Canadians for itself and its valued by Canadians for aesthetic, cultural, spiritual, recreational, educational, historical, economic, medical, ecological and scientific reasons.

The Government of Canada has ratified the United Nations convention on the Conservation of Biological Diversity...

The Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council is to provide national leadership for the protection of species at risk, including the provisions of general direction to the committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada...

Roles of Aboriginal peoples of Canada and of wildlife management boards established under land claims agreements in the conservation of wildlife in this country are essential...

The conservation efforts of individual Canadians and communities should be encouraged and supported...

Stewardship activities contributing to the conservation of wildlife species and their habitat should be supported to prevent species from becoming a risk...

Community knowledge and interests, including, socio-economic interests, should be considered in developing and implementing recovery measures...

Traditional knowledge of the aboriginal peoples of Canada should be considered in the assessment of which species may be a risk and in developing and implementing recovery measures...

Knowledge of wildlife species and ecosystems is critical to their conservation, habitat of species at risk is key to their conservation and Canada's protection and recovery of species at risk..."