Environment Minister Receives COSEWIC Report

OTTAWA, May 2, 2003 – The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today affirmed the Government of Canada's commitment to protect species added to the list of Canadian Species at Risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

"First, I would like to commend the members of COSEWIC for their outstanding work on their assessments, past and present," said Minister Anderson. "The work done by the committee forms the basis for conservation decisions concerning Canada's wild species and the Government of Canada recognizes and respects COSEWIC's scientific credibility," the Minister added.

Meeting in Whitehorse this week, COSEWIC conducted assessments on a number of species, and added 16 to the list of Canadian Species at Risk. There are now 431 species on the list, including 153 that are endangered, 102 that are threatened and 143 species of special concern. As well, there are 21 species listed as extirpated and 12 listed as extinct. The number of species on the list has increased by 16 since November 2002.

"It is troubling whenever the status of any species is moved to a more serious category," said Minister Anderson. "However, I am pleased to see the removal of a species from the COSEWIC list and the downlisting of another species to a lower category of risk. The Government of Canada will continue to take action to protect species at risk and their habitats through stewardship and incentive programs with a variety of partners and cooperative efforts with provinces and territories."

The federal Species at Risk Act, which received royal assent in December 2002 and is expected to be proclaimed within the next year, will provide another tool for protecting species at risk and conserving biodiversity throughout Canada.

COSEWIC has been operating since 1977 and made its first designations in 1978.

Further details on the species assessed, and the reasons behind each designation, can be found on the COSEWIC website at: www.cosewic.gc.ca

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