This is a proposal that…

This is a proposal that undermines the very intention behind the original 2007 Endangered Species Act. The protection of the environment and biodiversity undeniably become even more critical since then, and this proposal undermines the very notion that we are the stewards of the environment.

The short term gain offered by "[speeding] up project timelines and provide greater certainty for proponents" is by no means of greater importance than protecting endangered species who stand to lose their habitats and ultimately their lives through this reckless proposal. There will always be time to build, but the destruction of habitat and the loss of endangered species is a permanent consequence that we would experience.

The loss of biodiversity has dangerous implications for the environment. Ecosystems can be thrown severely off balance, leading to further endangerment of other species, and ultimately impacting human life. The reckless plans to build without proper consideration of the impact and implications can only harm Ontario. We enjoy a beautiful province because of its biodiversity, not separate from it. Upholding the Endangered Species Act and its intentions is our responsibility as residents of this province, and we would be hurting ourselves by allowing developers, resource harvesting companies, and other interested parties to more easily destroy the habitat of endangered species.

The goal of this proposal is to circumvent the 2007 Endangered Species Act, and in doing so, literally pave the way for the very actions that the Act sought to prevent. It seeks to eviscerate the progress made through the implementation of the Act in the name of removing "unnecessary delays". As Ontarians, we enjoy a beautiful, biodiverse province, and it is in our best interests to conserve it responsibly. While the parties that would benefit from this proposal surely would love to see it pass, I see no reason as to why the current regulations are an insufficient compromise between responsible environmental stewardship and the advancement of the Ontarian economy.

To be clear, I believe this proposal should not be approved, due to its shortsighted goals that will have a long-term negative impact on the province of Ontario. It is reckless and irresponsible, and only serves the best interests of those who stand to financially profit from it. The current system is more than sufficient for the parties interested in the approval of this proposal, but they wish to harm Ontarians for the sake of improving their own bottom lines.