Experts say data gaps and other flaws hinder the province’s conservation efforts
Records from Quebec ’s environment ministry show just three instances in the past six years in which it denied applications to alter the habitats of at-risk animals, but incomplete data make it impossible to evaluate how the rules are enforced and, critics say, hinder the province’s conservation efforts.
Dr. Pelletier, a member of Quebec’s advisory committee on at-risk wildlife species, added that the lack of complete data on ministry authorizations is a problem. “Honestly, I don’t see how with this process we can have an integrated vision of the conservation of biodiversity in Quebec,” she said. In an email, Quebec Ministry of the Environment spokesperson Sophie Gauthier said that despite data gaps, officials can evaluate the overall impact of development on species throughout the province. However, the authorization process looks only at activities’ impacts on at-risk species locally, she said.
Data from the Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec regional authorities include only applications affecting “fish habitats likely to harbour at-risk species.” These regions are together responsible for the most authorizations, with 879. No requests were denied.
Quebec Globe Ministry Wildlife Request Data Datum Laval North Shore Globe
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