Thus, Canada's position that the federal government can only protect certain species is bizarre and totally at odds with what other jurisdictions, such as the United States and Australia, with its very similar governmental framework, have done in protection endangered species. I have tried to envision the reaction of Canadians if the Government of Brazil explained that it could do nothing for a rare species in the Amazon, because that species was in provincial jurisdiction. I do not believe the international community will find Canada's position on this credible. The issue should never have been treated as an extension of the wildlife file. Wildlife ministers were not the appropriate group for consultation.
Biodiversity is appropriately the concern of environment ministers.
By mischaracterizing endangered species legislation as a wildlife issue, the creation of legislation was inappropriately saddled with preconceived notions of jurisdiction over wildlife management. The question of extinction is orders of magnitude different from setting of bag limits in deer season. It is not a constitutional law problem for the federal government to protect any and all species in Canada at risk of extinction. As a matter of national and international concern, the federal government has all the jurisdiction it needs to do so. The obstacles, while formidable, are entirely political.