Gary Anandasangree, Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park
What Is the Threat to Orcas?
Only 75 Southern Resident Killer Whales Remain. New Legislation Could Seal Their Fate.
Prime Minister Carney is putting orcas at risk in order to bulldoze through projects like pipelines, LNG terminals and major port expansions.
The Southern Resident Killer Whale, and other endangered species, are protected under Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA). Even with this protection, this orca population has dropped to just 75 individuals. Their habitat is the Salish Sea — the exact waters oil and LNG tankers must pass through. Underwater noise from these ships drowns out the orcas' ability to hunt, communicate, and navigate — pushing them toward extinction. More pipelines and more LNG would mean more ships and a massive port expansion. It also means more exposure to contaminants and risks to the Chinook salmon which the orcas rely on for food. As long as the protections remain in place, the government can't greenlight the projects it wants.
To build pipelines, the government needs to weaken the law that protects the orcas.
That’s where Prime Minister Carney’s "Getting Major Projects Built in Canada" discussion paper comes in. In this paper, PM Carney proposes allowing Cabinet to bypass SARA's "jeopardy test". This is the legal barrier that stops projects from pushing endangered species toward extinction, including orcas and other important Canadian species.
For now, the proposal is just a discussion paper, not a bill. But the government has signalled their intent to table a bill as soon as Parliament resumes in September.
If this proposal becomes law, there will be no legal protection for the remaining Southern Resident Orcas.
PM Carney is also exploring back up plans to get around the laws that protect endangered species, in case his proposed legislation doesn't pass. One option is to use the Building Canada Act, which can be used to label projects as in the "national interest". If he gives this label to the west coast oil pipeline and the associated port expansion, these projects would get to skip the rules that are normally there to protect at-risk animals. No matter which path he takes, PM Carney is choosing extinction.
The government's proposal threatens more than just Orcas and other endangered species
If passed, it would be the most sweeping rollback of environmental protections ever. Here's just some of what's actually in it:
Pre-Approving Risky Projects Without Review
The proposals in the discussion paper would allow Cabinet to pre-approve pipelines, before routing details are complete or their impacts are understood. It would also give Cabinet the power to create "Federal Economic Zones", where all kinds of projects would be pre-approved, skipping environmental assessments entirely. This would leave Canadians in the dark about potential harms to their health, environment and vulnerable species.
One-Year Timeline Cap for Environmental Assessments
All major project assessments would be capped at one year. Complex projects cannot be responsibly assessed in 12 months. Rushing assessments means less time to properly study impacts, consult Indigenous communities, and evaluate risks to human health and safety. It will also mean fewer opportunities for the public to have a say.
Undermining Indigenous Rights
All of the proposed changes in PM Carney's discussion paper will make it practically impossible for the government to meaningfully consult Indigenous communities on major projects, which is constitutionally required.
Removing the Last Legal Barrier That Protects Endangered Species
This is the most dangerous proposal for the southern resident orca — and all endangered species. Under the Species at Risk Act, all projects must pass a jeopardy test: Will this project jeopardize the survival or recovery of an endangered species? If yes, government cannot authorize it. The discussion paper proposes letting Cabinet exempt projects from this test. If this passes, there will be no enforceable way to protect vulnerable species when their survival conflicts with an industrial project.
These proposals create a system where speed, industry profits and political priorities override science, Indigenous rights, and the survival and recovery of endangered species.
What Happens Next
September 21, 2026 — Parliament Resumes
Right now, Parliament is on summer break. On September 21, MPs will return to Ottawa. That's when the government is expected to move forward with this legislation.
Fall 2026 — Vote Expected
Prime Minister Carney has a majority government. Unless enough Liberal MPs break ranks or public pressure forces PM Carney to retreat, this legislation is likely to pass. Now is the time to speak up, loudly.
Days Until Parliament Resumes
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Time is running out.
Take Action: Ask Your MP to Vote NO to the Orca Extinction Bill
Your voice matters. Members of Parliament respond to constituents, especially when they hear from many people in their riding. Calling or writing your MP is one of the most effective ways to influence how they vote.
How to Contact Your MP
Call Their Office
Calling is the most effective method. Be polite, identify yourself as a constituent, and ask the MP to vote against any bill that puts health, nature and animals at risk in order to bulldoze through a pipeline.
Send an Email
Emails are read by staff and tallied. Keep your message short, personal, and clear. Explain why you care about the orca and why you oppose any bill that puts our future at risk.
Write a Letter
Physical letters stand out. You can mail letters to your MP's constituency office or their Ottawa office.
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