Budget problems that threaten wildlife programs shouldn't keep Environment Canada from fulfilling its commitments, the Sierra Club of Canada said Wednesday.

"It's completely unacceptable," said spokesman Jean Langlois. "There's a huge backlog [for wildlife programs] already, and cutting back on the budget is not going to help."

Sources told CBC News Tuesday that the Canadian Wildlife Service had its service budget frozen for the rest of the fiscal year and that other groups' budgets were cut by up to 80 per cent.

'If a patient has three types of cancer, you wouldn't say 'We're just going to treat one.''—Sierra Club spokesman Jean Langlois

Those sources said the funds were slashed after Environment Canada exceeded its budget.

Environment Minister John Baird was not available for comment Tuesday, but his department sent an e-mail saying spending is being prioritized for climate change initiatives.

"They can't just pick and choose," Langlois said. "If a patient has three types of cancer, you wouldn't say 'We're just going to treat one.'"

The cuts include an 80 per cent budget cut to the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Network, while the Migratory Bird Program budget has been cut in half.

The budget for 144 National Wildlife Areas has been slashed from $1.9 million to zero.