The Rule-of-Law Underpinnings of Endangered Species Protection: Minister of Fisheries and Oceans v. David Suzuki Foundation, 2012 FCA 40

Authors

Jocelyn Stacey, Allard School of Law at the University of British ColumbiaFollow

Faculty Author Type

Current Faculty [Jocelyn Stacey]

Published In

Journal of Environmental Law and Practice

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

Subjects

environmental law; judicial review; rule of law; administrative law; endangered species protection

Abstract

Environmental organizations have experienced a string of recent courtroom successes enforcing the federal Species At Risk Act. This case comment examines one of these cases, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans v. David Suzuki Foundation (“Killer Whales”), to expose the rule-of-law underpinnings of the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision. It argues that, while the decision is on its face an ostensible victory for endangered species protection, the conception of the rule of law on which the court relies is incapable of providing meaningful legal constraints for much environmental decision-making.

Citation Details

Jocelyn Stacey, "The Rule-of-Law Underpinnings of Endangered Species Protection: Minister of Fisheries and Oceans v. David Suzuki Foundation, 2012 FCA 40" (2014) 27:1 JELP 57.