Biodiversity Crisis Requires Urgent Species at Risk Protection and Legislation

Whereas British Columbia has the greatest biological diversity of any province or territory in Canada, the most species at risk, and is the only major jurisdiction in Canada without stand-alone Species At Risk legislation; And whereas only 4 of the 1,336 species at risk recognized by the province are legally protected under the Wildlife Act, yet unsustainable land use and extractive development are causing BCs wildlife populations to decrease in abundance, with many species facing extinction; And whereas the current patchwork of provincial laws and regulations has not effectively prevented species decline or extinction and is not consistent with British Columbias commitment to enshrine the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into law: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Ministry of Environment to urgently enact Species At Risk Protection and Legislation in partnership with First Nations and in a manner that promotes and respects First Nations inherent, Treaty and constitutionally protected rights and interests along with adequate funding, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.