Canada’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change took too long when he waited eight months to recommend cabinet issue an emergency order to protect the northern spotted owl — Canada’s most endangered bird, a federal judge has ruled. The June 7 decision hinges on how government interprets “unreasonable delay” under the Species at Risk Act. It will likely guide Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault to act swiftly to protect species his office deems are under severe and imminent threats, said Joe Foy, campaigner with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. …Spô’zêm First Nation Chief James Hobart said the federal government’s assessment on the status of the spotted owl should have rung alarm bells for all levels of government. …“Wood products are increasingly sold as environmentally friendly products — here in Vancouver, for taller and taller buildings. And only a few kilometres away … there’s this hellscape where habitat for critically endangered species is being cut,” said Foy.

Additional coverage in the Narwhal, by Ainslie Cruickshank: Environment Minister Guilbeault broke the law in stalling potential spotted owl emergency order: court