The purposes of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) are:

• to prevent Canadian indigenous species, subspecies and distinct populations of wildlife from becoming extirpated or extinct.
• to provide for the recovery of species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity.
• to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened.

The Act:

• establishes the process for legally listing species.
• prohibits activities that harm extirpated, threatened and endangered species, their residences, and their critical habitat.
• requires the preparation of recovery strategies and action plans for extirpated, threatened and endangered species.
• requires the preparation of management plans for species of special concern.
• establishes a web-based public registry to report on activities and provide a forum for public consultations on SARA and related documents.

The SARA approach is:

• to use the 'best available knowledge' in recovery planning.
• to avoid delay of recovery actions for reasons of scientific uncertainty.
• to support stewardship activities contributing to the conservation of species and their habitats.
• to collaborate with provinces, territories, other federal departments, local governments, Aboriginal Peoples and other groups.
• to recognize that compensation may be needed if an extraordinary impact occurs as a result of the application of critical habitat prohibitions.