Ottawa's species protection gap: Whales Initiative expires as major-project reforms loom

Ottawa's $151.9-million Whales Initiative sunsets in March 2026, just as legislation tabled this fall would let cabinet pre-approve projects in "economic zones" and exempt certain developments from the Species at Risk Act, which covers over 600 species. Environmental groups warn the 74 remaining Southern Resident Orcas face increased tanker traffic through their Salish Sea habitat.