Senator Coyle: Senator Gold, there were many reports tabled two days ago. The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s Report 7 on protecting aquatic species at risk found that delays, knowledge gaps and a bureaucratic approach undermined the government’s ability to protect aquatic species at risk. The report found that Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s approach to protecting aquatic species assessed as being at risk under the Species at Risk Act contributed to significant listing delays and decisions to not list species with commercial value. Furthermore, the audit found that the department did not have enough staff to enforce compliance with legislation aimed at conserving and protecting biodiversity.

Senator Gold, how will the government rectify Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s approach in order to ensure that the biodiversity crisis is taken seriously and aquatic species at risk are protected?

Hon. Mary Coyle: This question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. Senator Gold, the United Nations recognizes biodiversity as one of the world’s most pressing emergencies, along with pollution and climate change. Two days ago, our Speaker tabled the fall reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. We saw a very thick pile of paper being deposited here on the table.

Report 9 found that Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada failed to include clarity and clear reporting in their strategies to reach the species-at-risk targets set forth by the government. There were significant gaps in the reporting of planned actions, and none of the three organizations reported how their actions helped to achieve the United Nations’ goal, even though they are required to provide this information in their corporate reporting.

This news comes just a few months before, as you know, Canada will host the fifteenth United Nations Biodiversity Conference — COP 15 — where nations will meet with the goal of halting the loss of biodiversity.

Senator Gold, could you tell us what actions the government will undertake to address this situation in order to meet our species-at-risk recovery target — a target that we have missed for the past eight years?