The recovery strategy, required under Canada's Species At Risk Act (SARA), was initially released August 26, 2011 - four years later than required under the SARA.

The proposed recovery strategy faced immediate criticism.

"This is not a recovery plan. This is barely a survival plan. The federal government is setting an insultingly low bar. Essentially any herd in serious decline is being written off. The bottom line is that this plan is illegal under SARA, as it defies scientific evidence on what caribou need to survive, nevermind actually recover," said Melissa Gorrie, Ecojustice staff lawyer.

"By allowing 95 per cent of woodland caribou habitat in northeastern Alberta to be lost, the Government of Canada is proposing that Canadians 'write off' virtually all the habitat that supports Alberta's caribou herds in order to promote irresponsible levels of oilsands development," said Simon Dyer, Policy Director with the Pembina Institute.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) issued a report card on the recovery strategy in which they found that major improvements were required in 6 of the 8 categories examined.

The deadline for comments has now been extended until February 22, 2012.