Species At Risk & The Métis Nation

At Risk Species List

The Act establishes Schedule 1, as the official list of wildlife species at risk. It classifies those species as being either extirpated, endangered, threatened, or a special concern. Once listed, the measures to protect and recover a listed wildlife species are implemented. View listing process at bottom of this page.

View Schedule 1 (Extirpated, Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern)
Above link will take you to SARA Public Registry

Species that were designated at risk by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) prior to October 1999 must be reassessed using revised criteria before they can be considered for addition to Schedule 1 of SARA. After they have been assessed, the Governor in Council may on the recommendation of the Minister, decide on whether or not they should be added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk.

View Schedule 2 (Endangered, Threatened)
Above link will take you to SARA Public Registry

View Schedule 3 (Special Concern)
Above link will take you to SARA Public Registry

COSEWIC's Assessment Process and Criteria

The Species Listing Process Under SARA

The listing process, begins with a species assessment that is conducted by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Based on a status report, species specialist subcommittees assess and assign the status of a wildlife species believed to be at some degree of risk. When COSEWIC completes its assessment, they must provide the Minister with a copy of the assessment and its reasons for the status designation.

Upon receiving an assessment, the Governor in Council may on the recommendation of the Minister, amend the List and add a wildlife species; reclassify a listed wildlife species; or remove a listed wildlife species. When the Governor in Council has not taken a course of action within nine months of receiving the assessment, the Minister shall amend the List in accordance with COSEWIC's assessment.

Under SARA, wildlife species that are listed on Schedules 2 and 3 must be assessed by COSEWIC within a given timeframe. These wildlife species follow the same process for assessment and classification, but are not included on the official list.

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