Environmental groups challenge federal minister's eight‑month emergency order delay for spotted owl
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Territories (Vancouver, B.C.) – Wilderness Committee, represented by Ecojustice lawyers, is challenging in Federal Court the eight-month delay of Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault to recommend an emergency order to prevent the extinction of the spotted owl in Canada.
Where: Federal Court, 701 W Georgia St, Vancouver (courtroom TBA)
When: October 18, court hearing starts at 9:30 a.m.
Wilderness Committee argues that Guilbeault's delay in recommending an emergency order to protect the spotted owl's habitat endangered the recovery of the species and was not allowed under the Species at Risk Act. The hearing will address the minister's legal obligation to take urgent action against imminent logging in habitat necessary for the owl to recover to a stable population.
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Please note: This is an advisory for journalists. Further information will be provided by press release the day of the court case.
For more information contact:
Torrance Coste | National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee
250-516-9900, torrance@wildernesscommittee.org
Chief James Hobart | Spô'zêm First Nation
604-860-3571, chief@spuzzumnation.com
Shayoni Mehta | Ecojustice, Communications Specialist
smehta@ecojustice.ca | T: 604-685-5618 | 1-800-926-7744 ext. 249
Joe Foy | Protected Areas Campaigner, Wilderness Committee
604-880-2580, joe@wildernesscommittee.org