Environment Minister Peter Kent. (CBC)

A new report is questioning whether provincial governments will be able to protect threatened species if the federal government shifts responsibility.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent said changes are coming to the Species at Risk Act this fall. But a group of lawyers and scientists called Ecojustice say provincial laws won't be able to fill any gaps.

Sasha Russell, one of the authors of the new report, said New Brunswick needs stiffer fines put in place along with clear recovery strategies and emergency measures.

"If the federal [Species at Risk Act] is gutted, it takes away provisions such as these, then there's no emergency protection for species at risk," said Russell.

That's worrying environmentalists in New Brunswick.

Nadine Ives has been studying butternut trees. She said disease and habitat destruction have made it just one of the endangered species found in the province.

Ives says New Brunswick doesn't have the resources to protect them on its own.

"Usually there's a requirement for a recovery plan," said Ives.

"But whether or not those recovery plans are actually implemented or could be implemented is another story. And that seems to be where, at all levels, the legislation tends to fall apart."

The new report gives low grades to laws in all provinces and territories with a low grade to endangered species legislation in all regions.

New Brunswick is currently in the process of changing its legislation, but it's not clear when new regulations will be in place.

Russell says New Brunswick needs recovery strategies similar to its federal counterpart.