Experts Are Needed to Write a COSEWIC Status Report

February 25, 2026 – April 8, 2026
Deadline: Wednesday, April 8 at 3pm Eastern time

Printable version (PDF - 433 KB)

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On this page

• Part 1: Introduction
• Part 2: Wildlife species for which a COSEWIC status report is needed
  • Amphibians
  • Arthropods
  • Birds
  • Freshwater Fishes
  • Lichens
  • Marine Fishes
  • Marine Mammals
  • Molluscs
  • Mosses
  • Terrestrial Mammals
  • Vascular Plants
• Part 3: Wildlife species for which a COSEWIC designatable unit report is needed
• Part 4: Conditions of Contract and Instructions for Submitting Bids
• Appendix 1: Travel Rates and Guidelines

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Part 1: Introduction

COSEWIC is seeking experts from both the public and private sectors to produce a status report or a designatable unit report. COSEWIC status reports summarize the scientific, community and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) that is the basis for status determinations. Each report is an up-to-date compilation and analysis of all available biological information concerning a wildlife species’ status in Canada, including its distribution, abundance, habitat availability, and factors or threats limiting the wildlife species. COSEWIC may also identify Designatable Units (DU) below the species level based on criteria for discreteness and evolutionary significance. DU reports form the basis of a subsequent assessment for the wildlife species.

Updates to status reports for wildlife species that have existing COSEWIC designations may draw on information from the previous report(s) and will provide the basis for future updated reports on the wildlife species.

Applicants are asked to submit bids for a contract to produce a status report for the wildlife species from Part 2 below. COSEWIC will only accept bids for single status reports, unless Part 2 specifically asks for bids on more than one wildlife species. For applications submitted by more than one person, the roles of each person in the preparation of the report must be clearly explained, and the names and roles of all persons who will be involved should be included. Note that general or species-specific corrections or clarifications to the Call for Bids may be posted on the COSEWIC website; applicants should check the website for updates until the close of the Call for Bids. For instructions on how to submit a bid and for information about the conditions and requirements involved, please see Part 3 below.

The wildlife species for which a status report will be commissioned is shown in Part 2 below. The year of designation and the current COSEWIC risk category are indicated. The suggested value of the contract is provided as a guide for applicants in developing their proposals. The number of designatable units planned for inclusion in a status report is based on best available information. It should be noted that the number of designatable units in a status report can change leading up to the letting of a contract and/or once a contract is underway. Information on the COSEWIC designatable guidelines can be found at COSEWIC guidelines for recognizing designatable units.

Note: Any reports commissioned by COSEWIC exceeding $40,000 (taxes included) will be posted on Canadabuys.canada.ca/, the Government Electronic Tendering Service, and not on a COSEWIC call for bids. Postings on Canadabuys.canada.ca do not necessarily coincide with the posting dates for COSEWIC calls for bids.

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Part 2: Wildlife species for which a COSEWIC status report is needed

February 25, 2026 – April 8, 2026
Deadline: Wednesday, April 8 at 3pm Eastern time

Amphibians

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Spea bombifrons	Plains Spadefoot	AB, SK, MB	Not at Risk (May 2003)	Status Report $20,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

In the past 15 years, there have been surveys in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, including targeted, auditory road surveys in Grasslands NP, along the South Saskatchewan River, and in southwestern Manitoba. Further surveys across the range are needed; we have built field work into the contract. We will conduct a Threats Calculator Call, particularly to explore recent changes in threats, including quality of habitat, emerging diseases, and climate change. Shank and Nixon (2014) predict that Plains Spadefoot has very limited ability to shift its range in response to climate change due to life-history constraints.

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Arthropods

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Fitchiella robertsoni	Fitch’s Elephanthopper	ON	New	Status Report $15,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Fitch's Elephanthopper is associated with native grassland remnants in the eastern United States and southern Ontario. The species is considered intensely local across its range, with only 12 subpopulations known in the world prior to 2000. At presen, it is only known from two locations in southern Ontario and appears to be extremely local in its distribution. Other suitable habitats in Ontario have been well-surveyed, and the species has gone undetected, although this species would benefit from additional targeted search effort in a few key habitats. Recent study in Iowa has determined that its primary host species is Sorghastrum nutans, and a secondary host is Andropogon gerardii, which may help guide search effort. The report writer must compile all known records, including potential habitat, and other host plant records, past presence/absence search effort, and current threats. Applicants should submit fieldwork and data compilation plans.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Apiocera barri	Northern Desert Fly	BC	New
Megaphorus willistoni	Northern Little Bee-Robber Fly	BC	New

These two flies are restricted in Canada to the hottest grasslands of the southern Okanagan and Similkameen valleys in British Columbia, where they are apparently sparse. The Northern Desert Fly occurs almost exclusively in the endangered Antelope-brush/needle-and-thread grass community; the area of this habitat continues to decline at about 2% annually. The Northern Little Bee-Robber mimics leafcutter bees and apparently hunts these and other bees and wasps around grassland flowers. The report writer will compile species records from entomological collections and community science databases, undertake targeted field surveys, identify the species’ potential habitat range, and determine the extent and significance of its threats. They will also confer with subject experts and regional biologists. Field surveys should occur within the Antelope-brush steppe and other low elevation grasslands of the south Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. Search effort should occur in late July and early August during this species flight period. Applicants should submit a fieldwork plan. Two separate written status reports are required for a total of $24,000.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Williamsonia lintneri	Ringed Boghaunter	ON	New	Status Report $15,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

The Ringed Boghaunter is a globally rare dragonfly with a patchy distribution in northeastern North America. In Canada, it is known only from the northeastern Great Lakes region in two areas: Strawberry Island and Georgian Bay, though exact locations on iNaturalist from Georgian Bay are obscured. In the Great Lakes region, it is associated with shallow sedge-dominated bog or fen pools. Threats at Strawberry Island currently appear low, but if the Georgian Bay sites are near developed areas, habitat loss and pollution may be threats. Invasive European Common Reed and climate-driven drying of shallow pools may be additional threats in both areas.

The report writer will compile all known records and past search effort for the species, assess habitat availability, and current threats at known sites. Fieldwork is required to determine the precise Georgian Bay sites and survey additional potential habitats during the adult flight period (April to early June). Applicants should submit a fieldwork plan.

Birds

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Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft: Status report, $21,000.00, Winter 2026/2027.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Eremophila alpestris arcticola, Eremophila alpestris alpina	“Alpine” Horned Lark	NT, NU, YT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE	New
Eremophila alpestris merrilli	Dusky Horned Lark	NT, NU, YT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE	New
Eremophila alpestris strigata	Streaked Horned Lark	NT, NU, YT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE	Endangered (April 2018)
Eremophila alpestris leucolaema, Eremophila alpestris enthymia, Eremophila alpestris praticola	“Grasslands” Horned Lark	NT, NU, YT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE	New
Eremophila alpestris hoyti, Eremophila alpestris alpestris	“Northern” Horned Lark	NT, NU, YT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE	New

COSEWIC treats the 9 recognized subspecies of Horned Lark as 5 Designatable Units (DUs), only one of which, Streaked Horned Lark strigata ssp., has been previously assessed (as Endangered in 2003 and 2018). The report writer will summarize information relevant to assessment (notably population size, trends, and threats) separately for each DU, incorporating feedback from jurisdictions across Canada.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Centronyx bairdii	Baird's Sparrow	AB, SK, MB	Special Concern (May 2012)	Addendum $7,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

This report will require a thorough update of information gathered since the last assessment, but will not require a full status report. Instead, the report writer will have to present a concise update in the form of an Addendum, following a prescribed format (sample Addendum document available from the COSEWIC Secretariat on request).

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Gavia adamsii	Yellow-billed Loon	NT, YT, BC, AB, MB, QC	Not at Risk (April 1997)	Status Report $13,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

This poorly understood species breeds in remote Arctic regions and in North America primarily winters offshore in low numbers along the west coast of Canada and the United States, so even the best surveys of its population, such the Christmas Bird Count, are problematic. Thus, the report writer will need to explore sources of information, such as the Arctic Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring, beyond what is usually required for bird status reports.

Freshwater fishes

Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft: Status report, $8,000.00, Winter 2026/2027.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Acipenser oxyrinchus	Atlantic Sturgeon St. Lawrence populations	Atlantic Ocean, NL, PE, QC	Threatened (May 2011)
Acipenser oxyrinchus	Atlantic Sturgeon Maritimes populations	Atlantic Ocean, NB, NS	Threatened (May 2011)

Report writer(s) will be required to revise existing draft status report and produce subsequent versions of the status report.

An ATK report has been prepared for this species. ATK information relevant to the assessments would be shared with COSEWIC Status Report Writer(s) for integration into the status report.

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Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft: Addendum, $12,000.00, Winter 2026/2027.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Ictiobus cyprinellus	Bigmouth Buffalo Saskatchewan - Nelson River populations	SK, MB	Special Concern (April 2009)
Ictiobus cyprinellus	Bigmouth Buffalo Upper St. Lawrence Populations	ON	Not at Risk (April 2008)

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Lampetra richardsoni	Western Brook Lamprey	BC	Endangered (April 2010)	Addendum $4,000.00 Winter 2026/2027
Rhinichthys umatilla	Umatilla Dace	BC	Threatened (April 2010)	Addendum $7,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

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Lichens

The report writers will need to:

1. do research to discover the known distribution of the species under consideration including information available from herbaria and other applicable sources,
2. undertake field verification work to check whether the wildlife species, as well as suitable habitat, is still present at sites from which the wildlife species had been recorded previously,
3. check potential habitat in areas where the wildlife species may be expected,
4. estimate, the abundance of the wildlife species at each site visited by counting colonies or thalli,
5. include an appendix documenting the field verification work including detailed locality data on all sites visited (as well as visited sites where the wildlife species was not found)
6. describe survey techniques, and deposit at least one voucher specimen per extant locality in a recognized public herbarium, or, in the case where collecting specimens could further endanger a population, to provide photographic evidence if this can be obtained without undue disturbance.

The value for field verifications cannot exceed one-third the contract value. Please see Appendix 1 for updated travel rates and guidelines for information on estimating field expenses.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Seirophora aurantiaca	Arctic Orangebush Lichen	NT	New	Status Report $15,000.00 Winter 2027/2028

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Marine Fishes

Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft: Status report, $27,000.00, Winter 2026/2027.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 36 - Bella Coola-Dean	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 37 - Northern Coastal Streams	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 104 - Canoona	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 105 - Evelyn	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 106 - Kainet	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 112 - Bloomfield	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 117 - Curtis	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 118 - Devon	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 121 - Freeda/Brodie	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 124 - Keesha	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 129 - Kooryet	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 130 - Kwakwa	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 132 - Mary Cove	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 133 - Mikado	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 135 - Port John	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 144 - Tankeeah	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU 148 - Yeo	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU T10 - Backland	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU T22 - Hartley Bay	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU T30 - Lowe/Simpson/Weare	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus nerka	Central Coast Sockeye Salmon DU T35 - Roderick	BC, Pacific Ocean	New

The central coast region of the British Columbia coast has a large number of populations of sockeye salmon, many of which are small or have declined in abundance. The contractor will work with DFO, First Nations and others to assemble various sources of data for this assessment. The exact list of DUs to be considered may be modified prior to the assessment, based on an evaluation of recent data, and advice from local experts.

An ATK report has been prepared for Central Coast Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). ATK information relevant to the assessments would be shared with COSEWIC Status Report Writer(s) for integration into the status report.

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Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft: Status report, $17,000.00, Winter 2026/2027.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Oncorhynchus keta	Haida Gwaii Chum Salmon DU 12 - Haida Gwaii West	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Haida Gwaii Chum Salmon DU 13 - Haida Gwaii North	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Haida Gwaii Chum Salmon DU 14 - Stanley Creek	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Haida Gwaii Chum Salmon DU 15 - Haida Gwaii East	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Central Coast Chum Salmon DU 16 - Rivers-Smith Inlet	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Central Coast Chum Salmon DU 20 - Hecate Lowlands/Skeena Estuary	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Central Coast Chum Salmon DU 21 - Douglas-Gardner Channels	BC, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhynchus keta	Central Coast Chum Salmon DU 22 - Skeena River	BC, Pacific Ocean	New

Chum Salmon from Haida Gwaii and the central coast of BC have declined in abundance, warranting assessment. The contractor will work with DFO, First Nations and others to assemble data for this assessment. Note that provisional DUs are identified here; the Chum Salmon DU report is scheduled for review in December 2026 and the final list of DUs may vary slightly from this.

An ATK report has been prepared for Chum Salmon (Oncohynchus keta) from Haida Gwaii and the central coast of BC. ATK information relevant to the assessment would be shared with COSEWIC Status Report Writer(s) for integration into the status report.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Limanda ferruginea	Yellowtail Flounder	NB, NS, PE, NL, Atlantic Ocean	New	Status Report $17,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Yellowtail Flounder is a medium sized-flatfish that is distributed from the Newfoundland Grand Bank to shelf waters in Virginia in the USA. It occurs principally in depths <100 m. In Canada, they occur on the Grand Bank, in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, along the Scotian Shelf and on eastern Georges Bank. There are directed fisheries in each of these areas, although on the Scotian Shelf it is part of a small mixed-flounder fishery. Recent agency assessments suggest the principal threat on the Grank Bank is fishing, while in other areas fishing may constitute a smaller threat. In these other areas, elevated natural mortality in adults is thought to be the main cause of declines and has been attributed in some cases to predation by grey seals.

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Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft Status report, $17,000.00, Winter 2026/2027

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU60 - Yukon/Teslin-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 61 - Big Salmon-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 62 - Nordenskiold-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 63 - Mid-Yukon-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 64 - Pelly-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 65 - White-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 66 - N Yukon-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 67 - Porcupine-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New
Oncorhychus tshawytscha	Yukon Chinook Salmon DU 68 - Old Crow-Stream Summer	YT, Pacific Ocean	New

Chinook Salmon abundance in the Yukon River basin has declined sharply in recent years, resulting in closures of virtually all fisheries. The contractor will use available reconstructions of DU abundance, ATK, and other sources of information for the assessment.

An ATK report has been prepared for Chinook Salmon (Oncorhychus tshawytscha) in the Yukon River. ATK information relevant to the assessment would be shared with COSEWIC Status Report Writer(s) for integration into the status report.

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Marine Mammals

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Delphinapterus leucas	Beluga Whale St. Lawrence Estuary population	QC, Atlantic Ocean	Endangered (November 2014)	Addendum $8,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

An addendum report is required for this species, which was last assessed as Endangered in 2014. There has been little change in St Lawrence beluga abundance since the last report. A considerable amount of new information has been gathered, which point to changes in summer distribution. Its current status of Endangered is not expected to change. The report writer is expected to complete searches of the primary literature and government reports.

An ATK report has been prepared for Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas). ATK information relevant to the assessment would be shared with the COSEWIC Status Report Writer(s) for integration into the status report.

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Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft Status report, $25,000.00, Winter 2026/2027

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status
Pagophilus groenlandicus	Harp Seal	NL, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean	New
Cystophora cristata	Hooded Seal	NU, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean	Not at Risk (April 1986)

A full status report is needed for Harp Seal which have never been assessed by COSEWIC; and for Hooded Seal which were last assessed as Not at Risk in 1986. A considerable amount of new information is available for both species, particularly the Harp Seal. Both species have declined in abundance, which has been linked to declines in ice-cover. The IUCN recently uplisted Harp Seal from Least Concern to Near Threatened, and Hooded Seal from Vulnerable to Endangered. A full status report is needed. The report writer is expected to complete searches of the primary literature and government reports.

An ATK report has been prepared for Harp Seal and Hooded Seal. ATK information relevant to the assessments would be shared with COSEWIC Status Report Writer(s) for integration into the status report.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Eubalaena glacialis	North Atlantic Right Whale	NB, NS, Atlantic Ocean	Endangered (November 2013)	Addendum $8,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

An addendum report is required for this species, which was last assessed as Endangered in 2014. The population remains small and the most recent abundance estimates suggest that the population has stablilized. Its status is not expected to change. A considerable amount of new information has been gathered since the last assessment, which point to significant changes in summer distribution. Mortality due to collisions with ships and fishing gear entanglement remain as major threats to recovery. The report writer is expected to complete searches of the primary literature and government reports.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Eumetopia jubatus	Steller Sea Lion	BC, Pacific Ocean	Special Concern (November 2013)	Addendum $12,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

A full status report is needed for the Steller Sea Lion which was last assessed as Special Concern in 2013. A considerable amount of new information has been gathered since the last assessment, which point to slight increases in abundance as well as increases in the number of haulout sites, which may result in a change in status. The report writer is expected to complete searches of the primary literature and government reports.

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Molluscs

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Obovaria olivaria	Hickorynut	ON, QC	Endangered (May 2011)	Addendum $10,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Bidders should be prepared to examine and use source information in both English and French and should be able to understand and interpret French documentation. Field verification is not required. The reassessment report will be written as an addendum and include a threats assessment.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Xolotrema denotatum	Velvet Wedge	ON	New	Status Report $12,000.00 Fall 2026

Field verification is required.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Mesodon clausus	Yellow Globelet	ON	New	Status Report $10,000.00 Fall 2026
Ventridens suppressus	Flat Dome	ON	New	Status Report $10,000.00 Fall 2026

Yellow Globelet and Flat Dome bundle: Field verification for these two species is required but can occur at the same time given their southern Ontario distribution. Field verification includes: search known sites for live specimens as well as suitable habitat in the vicinity of known sites; if possible, provide abundance estimates and size class distributions for each major subpopulation; provide a field summary report documenting the field work, including detailed site information and survey methodologies used; deposit at least one voucher specimen per extant site in a recognized public institution or, in situations where collecting live specimens could further endanger a subpopulation, provide photographic evidence. The value for field verifications cannot exceed one-third the contract value. While field verification can be combined, two separate reports will be required.

 

Mosses

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Bryoerythrophyllum columbianum	Columbian Carpet Moss	BC	Special Concern (November 2014)	Addendum $9,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

The report writer will need to:

1. do research to discover the known distribution of the species under consideration including information available from herbaria and other applicable sources,
2. undertake field verification work to check whether the wildlife species, as well as suitable habitat, is still present at sites from which the wildlife species had been recorded previously,
3. check potential habitat in areas where the wildlife species may be expected,
4. estimate, the abundance of the wildlife species at each site visited by counting colonies or thalli,
5. include an appendix documenting the field verification work including detailed locality data on all sites visited (as well as visited sites where the wildlife species was not found)
6. describe survey techniques, and deposit at least one voucher specimen per extant locality in a recognized public herbarium, or, in the case where collecting specimens could further endanger a population, to provide photographic evidence if this can be obtained without undue disturbance. The value for field verifications cannot exceed one-third the contract value.

Please see Appendix 1 for updated travel rates and guidelines for information on estimating field expenses.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Scouleria marginata	Margined Streamside Moss	BC	Endangered (May 2012)	Addendum $8,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Margined Streamside Moss reaches its northern limit of distribution in extreme southern British Columbia. The species has not been found in several years despite repeated surveys and is likely Extinct, based on repeated expert surveys and limited appropriate habitat. We encourage the report writer to contact local experts in the bryoflora of British Columbia to complete this report. Fieldwork is not required.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Fabronia pusilla	Silver Hair Moss	BC	Endangered (May 2012)	Addendum $9,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Silver Hair Moss reaches its northern limit of distribution in extreme southern British Columbia. The species has not been found in several years despite repeated surveys, but it may still be present on the landscape. New fieldwork to confirm or infirm its presence should be undertaken. The report writer will need to:

1. do research to discover the known distribution of the species under consideration including information available from herbaria and other applicable sources,
2. undertake field verification work to check whether the wildlife species, as well as suitable habitat, is still present at sites from which the wildlife species had been recorded previously,
3. check potential habitat in areas where the wildlife species may be expected,
4. estimate, the abundance of the wildlife species at each site visited by counting colonies or thalli,
5. include an appendix documenting the field verification work including detailed locality data on all sites visited (as well as visited sites where the wildlife species was not found)
6. describe survey techniques, and deposit at least one voucher specimen per extant locality in a recognized public herbarium, or, in the case where collecting specimens could further endanger a population, to provide photographic evidence if this can be obtained without undue disturbance. The value for field verifications cannot exceed one-third the contract value.

Please see Appendix 1 for updated travel rates and guidelines for information on estimating field expenses.

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Terrestrial Mammals

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Spilogale gracilis	Western Spotted Skunk	BC	New	Status Report $14,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Western Spotted Skunk have a very restricted range in Canada. The report writer will be expected to have some working knowledge of spotted skunks and be connected to a network of biologists they can contact, who may have local knowledge and/or relevant monitoring data (e.g., camera trap networks) across the expected distribution of the species in southwestern British Columbia. All indications are that this species is now very rare so the report writer will be expected to provided analysis of effort and absence data as well as have a good knowledge for past and current threats within the expected distribution.

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Vascular Plants

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Festuca hallii	Plains Rough Fescue	AB, SK, MB, ON	New	Status Report $15,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Plains Rough Fescue is among the dominant species of native grassland communities in fescue prairies, which historically formed a band in the northern prairies, south of the transition to boreal forest. An estimated 95% of these communities have been lost due to fire suppression, conversion of land to agricultural production, and other development (residential/industrial/transportation). As a slow-growing, late successional and long-lived species, Plains Rough Fescue is threatened by aggressive invasive species, particularly perennial, rhizomatous grasses, which readily establish on the rich soils of the fescue grasslands.

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Carex crus-corvi	Ravenfoot Sedge	ON	New	Status Report $15,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

The Canadian population is restricted to the Carolinian Zone of extreme southwestern Ontario where it was discovered in 1985. It is known from two occurrences in Lambton and Essex counties where it occurs in clayey soils along waterways through deciduous floodplain woods. Field work is required to confirm the number of subpopulations, the number of mature individuals, and assess threats by visiting known and potential sites.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Asclepias hirtella	Tall Green Milkweed	ON	New	Status Report $13,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

The Canadian population is restricted to tallgrass prairie in the Ojibway Prairie area of Windsor in extreme southwestern Ontario. It is suspected that there are fewer than 40 mature plants. Field work is required to evaluate the number of subpopulations, the number of mature individuals, and assess threats by visiting known and potential sites.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Current COSEWIC Status	Type of report, suggested contract value and time frame for first draft
Lespedeza procumbens	Trailing Bush-clover	ON	New	Status Report $12,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Currently known only from a single location in southwestern Ontario near Nelles Corners in Haldimand County, where three plants were observed. Field survey of site (if permission granted), and other nearby areas of potential habitat, is required to determine the number of subpopulations, the number mature individuals and assess threats.

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Part 3: Wildlife species for which a COSEWIC designatable unit report is needed

Notice

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) seeks qualified individuals or small groups of individuals to undertake thorough reviews and analyses of existing information on Large Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides), Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata), a Salamander Complex, Western Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) and Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) populations in Canada. Please see the table below for further information. The purpose is to identify suitable designatable units (DUs) at an appropriate scale that will form the basis of a subsequent assessment of these wildlife species.

Background

COSEWIC may identify DUs below the species level based on criteria for discreteness and evolutionary significance that are related to factors such as established taxonomy, genetic variation, range disjunction, and biogeographic distinction including regional climates. Guidelines for recognizing DUs below the species level.

Wildlife species for which a Designatable Units report is needed:

Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Suggested contract value and time frame for first draft.
Euchloe ausonides	Large Marble butterfly	YT, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON	$8,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

Designatable Unit Report for Large Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausinodes) in Canada

Range in Canada: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Yukon.

In Canada, the Large Marble butterfly (Euchloe ausinodes) ranges from the west coast to Ontario and north into the Yukon. This species is experiencing declines throughout most of its global range. One of the named subspecies, E.a.insulanus, has already been assessed as Endangered by COSEWIC and listed under the federal Species At Risk Act. To further assess this species, the validity, genetic distinctness, and ranges of the other named subspecies within Canada must be determined. According to published literature, there are four named subspecies of Large Marble that occur in Canada; however unpublished information suggests there may be additional designatable units (DUs). Before this species is assessed by COSEWIC, a DU report is needed to outline the Large Marble designatable unit structure and ensure that each DU meets the distinctness and significance criteria. The report writer must review all published and other literature, genetic information, correspond with experts, taxonomists, specialists, those with jurisdictional and regional knowledge,and others with knowledge on the Large Marble’s taxonomy and nomenclature; summarize this information and provide a designatable unit structure for the species in Canada. Bidders should refer to the DU guidelines posted to the COSEWIC website and demonstrate an understanding of these guidelines in their bid.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Suggested contract value and time frame for first draft.
Pseudacris triseriata	Western Chorus Frog	ON, QC	$4,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

There has been recent genetic work completed in the Lougheed lab to clarify the DU structure. The contractor will use available reconstructions of DU abundance, ATK, and other sources of information for the assessment.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Suggested contract value and time frame for first draft.
Ambystoma mavortium, Ambystoma tigrinum	Western Tiger Salamander (Prairie Boreal population and Southern Mountain population) and Eastern Tiger Salamander (Manitoba population)	BC, AB, SK, MB	$14,000.00 Winter 2026/2027

There has been recent genetic work completed by ECCC to clarify the DU structure between ETS and WTS in Manitoba. A new possible DU of WTS has been identified in BC; genetic work is necessary to determine where this fits within the DU structure. The contractor will use available reconstructions of DU abundance, ATK, and other sources of information for the assessment.

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Range in Canada	Suggested contract value and time frame for first draft.
Salamander Complex	Small-mouthed Salamander, Unisexual Ambystoma (Blue-spotted Salamander dependent), Unisexual Ambystoma (Jefferson Salamander dependent), Unisexual Ambystoma (Small-mouthed Salamander dependent), Blue-spotted Salamanders (Pelee Island population), Blue-spotted Salamander	MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PE	$24,000.00 ($14,000 (report) + $10,000) (genetic analyses) Winter 2026/2027

There has been recent genetic work completed on the Blue-spotted Pelee Island population; further genetic work is necessary to determine the overall DU structure. The contractor will use available reconstructions of DU abundance, ATK, and other sources of information for the assessment.

Part 4: Conditions of Contract and Instructions for Submitting Bids

Notice

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) seeks experts from the private or public sector to prepare a report on the status of the wildlife species listed in Part 2 above for the Spring 2026 Call for Bids.

Background

COSEWIC assesses wildlife species (including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens) that are at risk of extinction or extirpation from Canada. Assessments are based on comprehensive wildlife species status reports on each wildlife species. Contracts are administered by Environment Canada via the COSEWIC Secretariat.

COSEWIC may identify DUs below the species level based on criteria for discreteness and evolutionary significance that are related to factors such as established taxonomy, genetic variation, range disjunction, and biogeographic distinction including regional climates. Guidelines for recognizing DUs below the species level.

Description of work

The contractor will use the best available information on the wildlife species, including scientific, community, and ATK, to write a comprehensive status report that will form the basis of an assessment on the status of the wildlife species in Canada, or a designatable unit report that may lead to a status report.

The content and format of the status report will conform to the Instructions for preparing COSEWIC status reports found on the COSEWIC web page, which specifies headings, the content under each heading, range maps, other figures and appendices. The contractor will also be required to use the typographic and editorial style set out in the templates for status report (full status report, Addendum status report) preparation found on the COSEWIC website. Any illustrations or graphics used must be originals prepared by the contractor or, if not, appropriate authorization for their use must be obtained and clearly cited in the report.

Beginning in 2012, COSEWIC status reports and addenda also include Threats Classification and Assessment Calculators. Writers are expected to attend related teleconferences and to assist with this process.

The contractor will actively seek out all relevant and important existing sources of scientific, community and ATK. The contractor will also contact COSEWIC representatives from jurisdictions responsible for the wildlife species, as well as relevant Wildlife Management Boards, recovery team co-chairs (as applicable), and Conservation Data Centres to obtain the most recent information on the wildlife species. Contact information for the above agencies / organizations is provided in the required contacts for information on wildlife species.

The contractor is required to contact the COSEWIC Secretariat to obtain detailed instructions and ensure that methodologies and concepts are applied correctly and consistently in the preparation of wildlife species distribution maps and in the calculation of the extent of occurrence and index of area of occupancy. In addition, the contractor must submit to the COSEWIC Secretariat all survey data (wildlife species observation / localities, search effort), whether collected during fieldwork performed in the course of writing the status report or obtained from other sources. Every effort should be made to ensure that all data obtained can be transferred to COSEWIC by obtaining proper permissions.

Contractors should have a good understanding of COSEWIC’s assessment criteria and the definitions of terms used within the criteria before writing the report. This will allow the contractor to better describe the wildlife species’ situation in preparation for COSEWIC’s assessment. COSEWIC’s assessment criteria and definitions can be found in Table 2 and Table 8 on the COSEWIC Assessment Process, Categories and Guidelines.

In 2005, COSEWIC initiated an effort to solicit community knowledge on wildlife species for which status reports are commissioned. COSEWIC may receive information on wildlife species from the Community Knowledge section of its website. Information obtained through this source, including additional contact names, will be forwarded to the contractor for consideration and incorporation into the status report.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to include ATK relevant to the wildlife species status assessment in the status report (species for which a separate ATK report is being considered are identified in Part 2 above). This will be facilitated through the ATK Subcommittee, which will also review any ATK gathered by the contractor. All holders of ATK contacted must be appropriately acknowledged. Contractors must contact the COSEWIC Secretariat ATK Coordinator before commencing work on the status report. Contact information for the COSEWIC Secretariat ATK Coordinator and more information about gathering ATK are provided in the Instructions for preparing COSEWIC status reports.

Site verification may be required for the status report. Wildlife species requiring fieldwork are identified in Part 2 above. Field expenses as well as the cost of producing the field summary report should be included as part of the proposed contract value. Field expenses and a field summary report should not exceed 1/3 of the contract value. Contractors verifying field sites are required to obtain permission from private landowners before accessing private land. If the fieldwork can be completed with less expense using a rental vehicle rather than a private vehicle, contractors shall rent.

Field verification is required for some status reports. More fieldwork would be expected for species with old or inadequate (e.g., no population count) field survey data. Potentially suitable habitats should be surveyed to the extent that is reasonable under the proposed budget limits. Successful report writers will have access to previous locality data to assist them in finding sites. Access to private properties for survey purposes requires landowner permission. Suggested contract values include some funds for time required in determining land ownership and contacting landowners. The value for field verifications cannot exceed one-third of the contract value. Please see Appendix 1 for updated travel rates and guidelines for information on estimating field expenses.

Expenses for transportation, accommodations and meal allowances should be estimated using the guidelines outlined in Appendix 1 of this document. Automobile liability insurance will need to be maintained in force for the duration of the fieldwork for a limit of liability not less than $2,000,000 per accident or occurrence, in addition to physical damage insurance.

Once completed, the report will be subjected to a review process. The Draft Report, after receiving approval by the relevant COSEWIC Species Specialist Subcommittee (SSC) Co-chair, will be reviewed by the relevant SSC members, the ATK Subcommittee, the jurisdiction(s), relevant Wildlife Management Boards, recovery team Co-chairs (as applicable), and any other external reviewers recommended by the SSC. Comments and suggestions will be forwarded to the report writer with instructions from the SSC Co-chair for changes that must be incorporated to produce the Provisional Report. These review periods take over 3 months to complete. Over the course of subsequent review and the COSEWIC assessment, further modifications may be made to the report. Following the COSEWIC assessment, a final document entitled COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report will be published on the SARA Public Registry and/or will be archived at the COSEWIC Secretariat. Please note that a full status report contract typically takes 18 months to complete due to the various review stages.

Additional optional work to be offered to winning bidders

In addition to the preparation of the status reports, the winning bidders may be offered the task to produce a description of the wildlife species’ residence using a defined set of guidelines and following a provided template. This part of the contract will be administered separately by Environment Canada. The information gathered describing the wildlife species’ residence will be requested at the same time as the Draft Report. The separate document detailing the wildlife species’ residence will be for a maximum value of $1000.00 over and above the contract amount suggested in the Call for Bids.

The concept of residence may not apply to all wildlife species and will not be required for aquatic species, vascular plants, or lichens. For more information about this work, the contact person is Julie Nadeau (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

In addition to the preparation of the status reports, the winning bidders will need to provide, at the Post-Provisional Status Report Stage, Alternative text for the figures. A long description may be required for more complex figures requiring more information. The separate work for Alternative text and/or long description will be for a maximum value of $750.00 over and above the contract amount suggested in the Call for Bids.

Acknowledgment for the preparation of COSEWIC Status Reports

COSEWIC status reports commissioned after May 2001 are "living documents". After the report is concluded, any subsequent updates to status reports will be prepared simply by adding new information to the existing report and, where appropriate, by updating factual information. COSEWIC will be cited as the author on the cover page (ownership and copyright will rest with the Crown). Contractors who produce the initial status report or add information to the "living document" to produce an updated status report will be acknowledged as having prepared the status report. Over time, the Acknowledgements will list the contributors (report writers) who have provided their expertise.

Copyright and moral rights

Environment and Climate Change Canada has determined that any intellectual property arising from the performance of the Work under the Contract will vest in the Crown on the grounds that the production of the report and related documents are subject to Copyright and that the report is being produced to generate knowledge and information for public dissemination.

At the request of Environment and Climate Change Canada, the contractor will provide to the Crown a written permanent waiver of Moral Rights¹ from all authors of the report, in a form acceptable to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The contractor will be granted a license to use, copy, reproduce and publish portions of the Provisional Report provided that 1) the Contractor will not publish the entire Provisional Report, or distribute it to any third party, and 2) the Contractor acknowledges that the Crown has contributed Crown Copyright in the Provisional Report and includes the following notice and disclaimer in any new document which incorporates portions of the report: "Notice: Some of the information used or referenced in this document is Crown Copyright, compiled on behalf of COSEWIC under a contract with Environment Canada, however, comments or conclusions made by the author using this information do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Environment and Climate Change Canada or COSEWIC."

Property Rights in ATK

ATK is the property of those who hold it. Contractors will require permission for gathering ATK using appropriate consent forms to be provided. Knowledge holders will be provided with an opportunity to review and validate the factual information shared with the report writer before it is integrated into the status report. Raw information (e.g., transcripts, tapes, etc.) will be returned to the knowledge holder or the community for storage. The report writer shall not have any intellectual property rights in the knowledge provided from Aboriginal sources.

Awarding of Contracts

COSEWIC aims to seek out experts who will prepare the best possible wildlife species status reports. The best expertise may reside in the public or private sector, and as such, this Call for Bids is open to both.

As per the Treasury Board Contracting Policy, applicants who work for the public service must discuss with their employer and Conflict of Interest group of their plans to apply and whether they plan to do the work during work time or outside of work time. Employer consent will be required before a contract is signed. More information may be found here Contracting with public servants. There are also specific provisions within the Treasury Board Contracting Policy that pertain to former public servants in receipt of a pension or a lump sum payment.

The COSEWIC Call for Bids is a tool to advertise the need for writers of COSEWIC status reports or other reports. This Call for Bids does not guarantee that the work outlined in this document will go forward.

Minimizing conflicts dealing with the awarding of contracts

• Ministerial appointees under SARA (i.e. COSEWIC members) may be considered Public Office Holders (POHs) and must seek advice from the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner (OCIEC) before engaging in any contract bid and ensure approval has been provided before accepting the contract. As such, it is recommended that appointed COSEWIC members do not bid on COSEWIC contracts
• If an SSC member plans to bid on a status report, he or she must not be involved with setting the amount of the contract, advertising the contract, or selecting a winning bid.
• Members involved in drafting contract criteria or associated discussions must not later submit bids for those contracts.
• Members must formally recuse themselves from participating in evaluations or administration of contracts on which they bid.

Value of contract

Allowable expenditures in the bid will include all professional services, fees (including applicable administrative fees), expenses including long-distance telephone calls, photocopying, courier, and travel in the course of research (including appropriate insurance for car rental or business use of private vehicle). Standard government contracting conditions will apply. Appendix 1 provides additional guidelines for estimating travel expenses for field work if applicable (see Part 2).

Schedule of deliverables and payments

Suggested timeframes to complete Draft Reports are provided for individual projects in Part 2. A detailed schedule of deliverables and payments is to be determined for successful candidates in discussions with SSC Co-chairs. Report writers are expected to submit their deliverables promptly on or before midnight of the due dates identified in their contract. For all payments, the deliverable must first be approved as acceptable by the SSC Co-chair. If a description of the wildlife species’ residence was requested (refer to Additional optional work to be offered to winning bidders), the deliverable must first be approved as acceptable by the relevant Environment and Climate Change Canada representatives before payment is issued.

Bid Evaluation

Bids received will be evaluated by at least three members of the relevant COSEWIC Species Specialist Subcommittee according to the following criteria:

Individuals preparing bids for COSEWIC status reports or other reports must adhere to the Bid Submission Template for each submission.

Bids that do not conform to the format and content of the Bid Submission Template will not be accepted by the COSEWIC Secretariat.

COSEWIC will only accept bids for single reports, except where specified otherwise in Part 2.

Evaluation Criteria for Bids

Mandatory requirements	Meets	Meets
Bid must conform to the formatting and length requirements in the Bid Submission Template. All components of the template must be completed.	Yes	No
The applicant must be willing to cede intellectual rights to the Crown, and be willing to waive moral rights in the report.	Yes	No

Rated criteria

Applicant’s total score	Information and content provided is...
UNSATISFACTORY: 0-69%	considered not acceptable for meeting the criteria for selection.
GOOD: 70-79%	sufficient and will likely meet the specified requirements.
VERY GOOD: 80-90%	more than sufficient and will more than meet the specified requirements.
EXCELLENT: 91-100%	exceptional. Services offered exceed the specified requirements.

Bid evaluation grid

Category	Maximum score2
1. Knowledge (including academic background, knowledge of wildlife species, knowledge of how to access information relevant for a COSEWIC status report or designatable unit report, including knowledge of French and/or English as needed to understand and synthesize available information, and an understanding of the respective roles of Report Writers and COSEWIC in drafting reports and producing assessments).	30
2. Writing experience (prior experience with COSEWIC and other reports if applicable, evidence of ability to incorporate editorial comments and of meeting deadlines, publication record. Ability to integrate ATK if required).	40
3. Work plan and budget (showing attainment of objectives within suggested time frame, expenditure justification (including allotment of no more than one third contract value for field verifications and its associated report, as well as consideration of the suggested value of the contract from the Call for Bids), availability of time to write report and incorporate editorial changes. In the case of a team application, clear description of each person's task and skills.3)	30
Total	100

(2) for each of the three rated categories, the bidder must show evidence of ability in all of the sub-categories indicated to attain a high score for the category. Evidence of poor performance in one sub-category could lead to a very low score.

(3) for bidders who have submitted multiple bids, evaluators will consider the feasibility of awarding multiple contracts to the same bidder, depending on the timelines and work required for each project.

Proposals will be evaluated, and the contract awarded by the Secretariat, based on the above requirements. Evaluators will study each bidder’s proposal, consult the references submitted by the bidder, and if required consult other references knowledgeable about the bidder’s work. Bids may be accepted in whole or in part, with or without negotiation.

The bidder with the lowest cost estimate will not necessarily be accepted. The contract award will be made by the Secretariat on the basis of best overall value to COSEWIC in terms of both technical merit and cost.

Questions, bid submission and acknowledgement

Questions and bids may be submitted to the COSEWIC Secretariat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Bid submissions should include the following subject line "Bid for [wildlife species name]".

A pdf version of the Bid Submission Template is available on the COSEWIC website. Please print, complete, and scan the template to submit bid to the Secretariat.

For a word document of the Bid Submission Template, please contact the Secretariat.

Deadline: Wednesday, April 8 at 3pm Eastern time. Late bids will not be accepted.

An acknowledgement of bid receipt will be sent by the Secretariat via email (unless an alternative method is requested) to each applicant within two business days. If an acknowledgement is not received within this time, please contact the Secretariat by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. During the last two days of the Call for Bids, the Secretariat will acknowledge receipt of bids as soon as possible, and at the latest, by the end of the business day that follows last day of the competition.

Appendix 1: Travel rates and guidelines

The following rates and guidelines should be used as a guide when planning fieldwork-related expenses. These are the approximate maximum claim amounts (subject to minor changes twice per year) for use of personal vehicle, accommodations, and meal allowances, although contractors are free to bill for lesser amounts. Expenses should reflect the number of days for each type of expense. Receipts are required for certain expenses, as indicated.

Please note that for contracts involving site verifications, the total value of the site verification travel expenses should generally be limited to one-third of the contract value, including both the travel expenses and the work to write the field report summary. Thus, except under specific circumstances, the overall budget should be designed to reflect this. It is also important to ensure estimated costs for the field work include all possible costs in order that the amount eventually billed is the same or less than the estimated costs.

Please note that estimated fieldwork expenses should include appropriate insurance coverage for automobile rental or business use of private vehicle (minimum $ 2 million liability, plus physical damage insurance) for the duration of the planned fieldwork. Note that automobile insurance in place for personal use will often not meet the contractor's obligation under the terms of this type of contract; therefore the contractor must obtain proper automobile insurance for use of its own vehicle when performing work under the contract or rent a vehicle with increased/extended insurance coverage.

Summary of travel expenses allowed for reimbursement

Car rental: receipt required for rental, receipts required for gas

Private vehicle (gas included) (Note that if the fieldwork can be completed with less expense using a rental vehicle rather than a private vehicle, contractors shall rent. The following rates are payable in cents per kilometre based on the province or territory of registration of the vehicle).	Cents/km (taxes included)
Alberta	56.5
British Columbia	60.0
Manitoba	56.5
New Brunswick	61.0
Newfoundland and Labrador	62.0
Northwest Territories	70.0
Nova Scotia	61.0
Nunavut	70.5
Ontario	63.0
Prince Edward Island	60.0
Quebec	62.5
Saskatchewan	56.0
Yukon	70.0

Commercial accommodations: receipt required

Accommodations in a private residence: claim $50.00 (private non-commercial accommodation allowance).

Meal allowances (excluding YT, NT, NU, which are higher):

• Breakfast: $29.05 (no receipt required)
• Lunch: $29.60 (no receipt required)
• Dinner: $60.75 (no receipt required)
• Total per day: $119.40 (no receipt required)

Effective July 1, 2017, incidental expenses can be claimed only by Government employees.

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(1) Moral rights, as defined by the Copyright Act, include a) the right of having the author’s name associated with the Work, where reasonable in the circumstances; and b) the right to the integrity of the Work such as preventing the Work from being changed, corrected or amended.