By: Shaun Fluker
PDF Version: More Justice for the Western Chorus Frog
Case Commented On: Groupe Maison Candiac Inc. v Canada (Attorney General), 2018 FC 643
Groupe Candiac is another case of legal success for endangered species at the Federal Court, and the second victory for the endangered western chorus frog in Québec. Over the past decade or so, the Federal Court has consistently ruled in favour of applicants seeking to enforce provisions in the federal Species At Risk Act, SC 2002 c 29 (SARA) and ABlawg has followed these judgments on matters such as the designation of critical habitat, the protection of critical habitat, and recovery strategies. In Groupe Candiac, Justice LeBlanc rules the federal power to issue an emergency protection order in section 80 of SARA covering provincial lands does not offend the division of powers under the Constitution Act 1867 and is otherwise lawful. Groupe Candiac is particularly relevant to Alberta, since the only other emergency protection order issued by the federal government under SARA since its enactment in 2002 protects the greater sage grouse located in southern Alberta. Groupe Candiac affirms the legality of this important power in SARA for the federal government to act swiftly to protect endangered species in the face of provincial inaction. Unfortunately for endangered species it is a hollow victory because federal officials are anything but swift when it comes to implementing the protective measures in SARA, and instead they regularly employ administrative discretion to undermine the effectiveness of the legislation.