Recovery Strategies

Under the Section 11 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 2007, recovery strategies must be prepared for all species in Ontario listed as endangered or threatened. These recovery strategies are required to have:

1. An identification of the habitat needs of the species
2. A description of the threats to the survival and recovery of the species
3. Recommendations to the Minister and other persons on:
   1. objectives for the protection and recovery of the species;
   2. approaches to achieve protection and recovery of the species; and
   3. the area that should be considered when developing a habitat regulation

The recovery strategies must also take into account the precautionary principle. In the words of the Act:

"...where there is a threat of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or maximize such a threat."

In other words, when facing a gap in current research, the recovery strategies must err on the side of caution and protect potential, as well as known, habitat the ensure the species can survive.

Recovery strategies have been prepared for 8 out of the 10 fast-track species. The strategy for Woodland Caribou and Western Silvery Aster are forthcoming.

Overall, most of the recovery strategies meet the above requirements. There are, however, some gaps.

Read the Recovery Strategy for Woodland Caribou

Read SOS comments on the recovery strategy for woodland caribou

Read SOS comments on the first draft of the recovery strategy for woodland caribou

Read the recovery strategies for eight of the ten fast track species

Read the SOS's detailed comments on the eight posted recovery strategies.

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