Cerulean Warbler Critical Habitat Protected in Gatineau

Summary#

The federal government made the Critical Habitat of the Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) Order under the Species at Risk Act to protect the bird’s identified breeding habitat on federal land in Gatineau Park. The Order covers about 800 hectares of critical habitat on three federal properties and came into force when it was registered (May 6, 2022).

What it does#

• Applies the SARA prohibition against destroying critical habitat to the Cerulean Warbler’s critical habitat on federal lands in Gatineau Park (three contiguous federal properties, totalling about 800 hectares).
• Incorporates, by reference, any additional federal critical habitat that may be identified in later amended recovery documents.
• Excludes portions of critical habitat that are already inside protected federal places:
  • the Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary (already protected under other rules), and
  • two federal sites along the Rideau Canal National Historic Site administered by the Parks Canada Agency, which are not included while Indigenous consultations continue.
• Follows the recovery strategy that was posted in the Species at Risk Public Registry and responds to the SARA rule that critical habitat on federal land be protected within 180 days of being identified.

Who's affected#

• National Capital Commission (NCC) — administrator of Gatineau Park and owner/manager of the three federal properties named.
• Parks Canada Agency (PCA) — manages the Rideau Canal sites that are currently excluded pending further Indigenous consultations.
• Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (KZA) — one Indigenous group consulted; it indicated support. Other Indigenous consultations are ongoing for the Rideau Canal sites.
• Park visitors and recreational users — the Order is not expected to affect routine recreational use because existing trails and roads are not expected to destroy habitat.
• Conservation groups, birdwatchers and others interested in species recovery — the Order legally protects specific habitat used by the endangered Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea).
• Anyone planning major changes on those federal properties (for example, large-scale clearing, new road construction or intensive logging) — such activities could be limited or require permits.

Why it matters#

• The Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) is listed as endangered, and protecting its critical habitat is a practical step toward its survival and recovery.
• Protecting these federal lands helps preserve mature deciduous forest that benefits many other species (the Cerulean Warbler is described as an “umbrella” species).
• In practice, the Order makes it illegal to carry out activities that would destroy the identified habitat on the named federal lands — for example, large-scale clearing, removing very large deciduous trees, intensive harvesting that creates unsuitable forest conditions, or actions that create damaging edge effects.
• The government estimates the incremental cost of implementing and enforcing the Order is modest (present value about $119,000 over 10 years (2022–2031)), with most costs borne by federal compliance and enforcement activities.
• Existing protections (for example under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and provincial endangered‑species laws) already cover the species more broadly; this Order fills a gap for specific federal lands in Gatineau Park.