Government not doing enough to protect B.C. biodiversity: auditor’s report

VANCOUVER – The British Columbia government is not doing enough to protect the province’s biodiversity and doesn’t even appear to have a clear understanding of what biodiversity is, says a report by the provincial auditor general.

John Doyle’s review also found the government doesn’t really know if its actions have been effective in conserving the vast array of life in B.C., and the ecosystems that support them.

Despite decades of commitments to conservation, Doyle says the province has not fully implemented promised policies and tools.

The report says there are gaps in legislation and a lack of information.

Doyle makes six recommendations, including a timeline for conservation actions and clear goals.

The government responded in the report with a promise to streamline data collection and review legislation to identify gaps, in addition to a more comprehensive program for natural resource monitoring by 2014.