Species at risk splits federal cabinet, critics say

February 8, 2001
Source: Edmonton Journal
Original story - link verified on February 8, 2001
By Ed Struzik

Opposition to a strong federal endangered species act may well be coming from within the Liberal government itself, says a coalition of environmentalists. Environment Minister David Anderson recently introduced an endangered species bill virtually identical to one that died on the order paper last fall, when the election was called. It sets out a framework to protect the 364 species recognized as endangered or at risk. But the bill provides little in the way of enforcement. And it no longer leaves the decision to declare a species at risk to a committee of scientists, as has been done in the past. If the bill goes through, the final decision is left up to cabinet