NOTICE OF WRITTEN PUBLIC HEARING

Consideration for the listing of the short-billed dowitcher and snowy owl as “Threatened” species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)

Notice is provided on November 13, 2026, that the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board (NMRWB) and the Eeyou Marine Region Wildlife Board (EMRWB) are reopening the Joint Written Public Hearing to consider the approval of the proposed designation of the short-billed dowitcher and the snowy owl as “Threatened” species, under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). New information, including the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) consultation summary report, has been added to the hearing registry for parties’ consideration.

The reopening provides an opportunity for parties to review the information and comment on the suggested listing from ECCC. The NMRWB and EMRWB will consider any information or comments that parties deem relevant. To help guide submissions, especially given that the hearing record currently lacks Traditional Knowledge and harvest information on snowy owl and short-billed dowitcher from the Nunavik Marine Region and the Eeyou Marine Region, the Boards are particularly interested in responses to the following questions:

The hearing will be held from November 13th to December 11th, 2026. The EMRWB invites all relevant Parties (e.g Cree Nation Government, Cree Trapper’s Association, and First Nations of Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, and Chisasibi), as well as any individuals and/or organizations to provide any factual information they may have on the Short-billed dowitcher or the Snowy Owl (e.g. reports, traditional knowledge, sightings) that would assist the board on making a decision on this request from Government. Only Parties may submit statements of position on this Hearing matter. The hearing rules and the registry are available on the hearing webpage.