This proposal is short…

This proposal is short-sighted and dangerous; now more than ever, we need to be protecting our wildlife habitats and vulnerable species. The Endangered Species Act is 'complicated' because it needs to be; the structures of our ecosystems are complicated, and we cannot survive without every aspect of the natural world. The Conservative Party postures itself to be for the people but has only supported the richest residents of this province. With the removal of rent control for newer units and now this proposal promoting the destruction of vulnerable animal habitats in the name of development, their track record shows they are helping only those who have the means to profit from legislation.

When habitats are destroyed, not only does the local wildlife suffer, but so do we. Many plants and animals do work that is essential for our lives. For example, research has shown that the deaths of 500,000 people in India are a result of the vulture population collapsing. Vultures are a natural and effective control for dangerous diseases like rabies, which has now run rampant in India. This is just one example of many that proves we need to cautiously consider the impact we have on our natural systems.

The proposed legislation only takes into consideration the dens and areas directly around the dens. But the life of these animals spans much farther and wider than those areas. If I were to bulldoze all the reasonably accessible places you could find food, socialize, and live your life around your home, you would very much consider your place of living "destroyed." It should be obvious that our homes, and similarly their homes, are more than just the places they sleep. This is a shortsighted bid for a quick buck that will have long-lasting impacts on the fragile and essential ecosystems of our province. The people of the future deserve to enjoy life and nature the same way we, and generations of the past, have enjoyed it.