Federal government leaps into action to save endangered Quebec frogs

The date of an emergency order to protect the habitat of an endangered frog species in La Prairie has been moved up after it appeared housing development work continued to be done in the area despite plans to halt it.

The ministry of the environment slated the emergency order to protect the chorus frog to come into effect July 17, but after work was seen recently, it was moved up to July 8.

• Federal government moves to protect Quebec frogs threatened by development

Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said the government is "acting quickly help threatened or endangered species."

Environmental groups have been fighting for a protection order since 2013 to stop the construction of a housing development that threatens the frog population in the area. 

The western chorus frog is a small olive or brown-coloured amphibian that grows to a length of about 2.5 centimetre. 

• Montreal-area housing development halted over endangered frog species