Species at Risk Act: description

SARA is a result of the implementation of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, which is in response to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The Act provides federal legislation to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct and to provide for their recovery.

• The Act – full document in HTML format (most up-to-date version, supplied by the Justice Laws Web Site)
• The Act – full document in HTML format (original text as it appeared upon passing of the bill, June 2002)
• The Act – PDF format (493 KB) (downloadable and printable version, original text as it appeared upon passing of the bill, June 2002)
• Legislative Summary of SARA HTMLPDF (515 KB)
• SARA and You: A series of guides to help you understand and comply with the requirements of SARA

SARA Annual Reports

SARA instruments

The following sections provide information relating to SARA instruments and the implementation of the Act.

• Regulations
• Orders
• Permits & Agreements
• Policies & Guidelines
• Round Table Recommendations & Minister's Response
• Environmental Assessment Best Practice Guide for Wildlife at Risk in Canada
• Species at Risk Program: Results-Based Management and Accountability Framework and Risk-Based Audit Framework

Parliamentary Review

Section 129 of the Species at Risk Act requires Parliament to review the Act five years after that section comes into force.

Additional information

• Announcement of sixth minister's species at risk act round table
• Species at Risk advisory committee
• National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk