liberals are us
...ity. More than a dozen are seriously imperiled including the original Tall Grass of the prairies, old growth Douglas Fir Forests in BC, the Carolinian forest of southern Ontario, and the Acadian forests on the Atlantic coast. Bill C-232 This Bill deems to rectify the critical problem of habitat loss. It is divided into four sections: Listing of Species, compensation, respect for provincial jurisdiction, and the creation of voluntary sanctuaries. Listing of Species 1) The Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), created in 1977 following a federal-provincial agreement, should do the listing of species on a scientific basis. This Bill obliges the government to identify species at risk based upon COSEWIC’s designation; not based upon a political decision. Compensation 2) Under this Bill, the Minister will be required by law to provide compensation to private landowners based upon the fair market value of their property. Currently, compensation is at the discretion of the Minister on a case-by-case basis. Also, C-232 ensures that land expropriated would be the minimum necessary for the establishment of a sanctuary. Currently the Minister is not limited on the size of the private land that could be expropriated. Respect For Provincial Jurisdiction 3) Bill C-232 requires the Minister to enter into a negotiated settlement with the provinces but where no agreement can be made, the land would be expropriated to establish a sanctuary for critical habitat. Compensation will be at fair market value. Currently, the Minister may unilaterally override provincial jurisdiction. Land Sanctuaries 4) The issue of the voluntary establishment of sanctuaries and land stewardship is very important. C-232 allows private landowners to claim a charitable tax deduction under the In...