Channel Darter Lake Ontario Critical Habitat

Summary#

The Critical Habitat of the Channel Darter (Percina copelandi) Lake Ontario Populations Order: SOR/2026-79 applies protection rules under the Species at Risk Act to the critical habitat that is identified in the recovery strategy for the Lake Ontario populations. The Order was registered and came into force on May 4, 2026 and was published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on May 20, 2026.

What it does#

• Says that subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act now applies to the critical habitat described in the species’ recovery strategy.
• Confirms that the recovery strategy identifying that critical habitat has been included in the Species at Risk Public Registry.
• States the Order came into force on the day it was registered (May 4, 2026).
• Notes the recovery strategy was prepared by the ministers involved: Joanne Thompson (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans) and Julie Dabrusin (Minister of the Environment).

Who's affected#

• People and groups who carry out activities in parts of Lake Ontario where the Channel Darter’s critical habitat is identified.
• This can include commercial and recreational users, developers, and any project proponents whose work overlaps those habitat areas.
• Conservation groups, local governments, and Indigenous communities with interests in Lake Ontario habitats will also be directly interested.
• The Order itself points to the recovery strategy for the exact habitat areas; if that is unclear for a specific location, check the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Why it matters#

• The Order brings legal protections to places identified as essential for recovering the endangered Channel Darter in Lake Ontario.
• That means some activities in those places may face new restrictions or need extra review to avoid harming the habitat.
• For nearby communities and users of the lake, the change matters because it affects planning, permitting, and conservation efforts aimed at helping the species recover.