Short-eared Owl uplisted; five species downlisted; Heron removed

Summary#

This Order amends Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act to change how seven bird groups are listed. It takes effect on registration (September 25, 2026) and follows reassessments by COSEWIC (the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). The result: one species is moved to a higher-risk category, five are moved to a lower-risk category, and one is removed from the federal list.

What it does#

• Reclassifies the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) from “special concern” to threatened, which means stronger federal protections and a recovery strategy are required for places the owl uses on federal land.
• Reclassifies these five species from threatened to special concern:
  • Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
  • Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)
  • Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
  • Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus)
  • Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)
  • For species moved to “special concern,” the SARA general prohibitions (e.g., automatic bans on killing or damaging nests) no longer apply.
• Removes the Great Blue Heron fannini subspecies (Ardea herodias fannini) from Schedule 1, so it is no longer listed under SARA.
• In practical terms:
  • Uplisting the Short-eared Owl triggers the creation of a recovery strategy and may require permits or changes for activities on affected federal lands.
  • Downlisting or removal stops some SARA-driven recovery and permitting requirements, and replaces recovery strategies with management plans for species of concern.

Who's affected#

• Indigenous peoples and co‑management boards, including First Nations and wildlife management boards consulted during the change. Some communities raised capacity and concern issues during consultation.
• Land users and operators on federal lands where these birds occur:
  • Up to 174 federal properties were identified as potentially important for the Short-eared Owl, including 98 First Nation reserves, 50 protected areas, 13 military sites, 4 airports, 2 ports and 7 other properties.
  • The Order could lead to as many as 80 SARA permit applications for activities on federal lands.
  • Estimated administrative costs to applicants for permits are about $144,000 (one‑time), and government permit processing costs about $210,000 over the analysis period.
• Farmers and small businesses working on federal lands: an estimated 12 properties with relevant crops could face stewardship or permitting steps.
• Federal departments and agencies involved in species recovery and enforcement, including Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada.
• Provincial and territorial governments and conservation groups; some (for example, the Government of Quebec) registered opposition or concern during consultations.

Financial snapshot (over a 10‑year analytical period):

• Estimated cost savings from downlistings and removal: $855,000.
• Estimated incremental costs (government and stakeholders): up to $2.1 million.
• Net monetized cost to society estimated up to $1.2 million (the analysis also notes non‑monetary benefits that are not fully quantified).

Why it matters#

• The listing on Schedule 1 determines what federal protections apply. Moving the Short-eared Owl to threatened increases federal action and could restrict some activities on federal land to protect the species and its habitat. That may mean more surveys, permits, or changes to timing or methods for projects on those lands.
• Downlisting five species to special concern reduces the automatic federal prohibitions under SARA. That lowers permitting and recovery obligations on federal land, producing administrative and cost savings—but some stakeholders worry it could reduce conservation effort at a time of changing environmental pressures.
• Removing the Great Blue Heron fannini subspecies from the list ends SARA duties for that group, though provinces (for example, British Columbia) can still act and some raised concerns about further research before delisting.
• The changes are based on new scientific assessments by COSEWIC and were subject to consultation. Some Indigenous communities, provinces and environmental groups opposed or questioned specific moves; the Government’s analysis notes both monetary costs and non‑monetary cultural and ecological benefits (for example, the cultural importance of owls to many Indigenous peoples) that are not fully captured in dollars.