The Solution
We all care deeply about endangered species. Recent polling shows that close to 90% of British Columbians support the creation of a single, effective provincial law to protect species.
Our vision is a strong Species and Ecosystem Protection Act that protects both at-risk species and prevents other species from becoming at risk of extinction. Studies of provincial and international species protection laws and best practices show that laws based on the following key principles protect species and ecosystems at risk:
- Enshrine the principle that healthy ecosystems are essential to healthy human societies and economies;
- Recognize that biological diversity is essential to healthy ecosystems;
- Identify, protect and recover at-risk biodiversity throughout the province;
- Protect and recover biodiversity by protecting habitat; assessment, list and develop recovery strategies for at-risk biodiversity on the basis of sound science;
- Incorporate global warming into policy, planning and management;
- Enshrine the precautionary principle, the principle of intergenerational equity, and the polluter-pays principle;
- Require citizen, community and First Nations participation;
- Require accountability and transparency;
- Be funded; and
- Be enforced.
Legislation in British Columbia that incorporates the above key principles would provide the legal means for the effective protection and recovery of species and ecosystems at risk in Canada’s most biologically rich region - making us a leader in the protection of biodiversity and associated essential ecosystems.
