As a biologist who has…

As a biologist who has worked with Species at Risk and someone who works in the field of provincial government wildlife management, I have serious concerns regarding the changes to the Endangered Species Act.
Those in my field, especially scientists who work with Species At Risk, are sounding concern for these changes that promise to undermine protections of native species for the financial benefit of businesses and developers. This should NOT have gotten to this state without input from experts in this field. My main concerns with these changes are as follows:

1) Most developers will no longer need to apply for a permit for development projects, but simply register with the province. The business interests of developers are often contrary to the interests of of the province in protecting wild spaces and species. This gap will allow for exploitation of Ontario's sensitive natural areas and wetlands. In the last hundred years, over 90% of Ontario's wetlands have disappeared. Wetlands provide crucial environmental services like water filtration.

2) The government is allowed to de-list species at will. This is not based on decades of science in Species of Risk, and will allow species to be de-listed that need adequate protection, with development threatening their existence.

3)"Harass" is no longer a prohibited action for species at risk - people can now "harass" endangered wildlife all they like.

4) The definition of habitat (to be protected) is now only limited to an animal's dwelling and immediate vicinity of its dwelling. There are immediate concerns that sensitive habitats will be at risk from this definition, especially when the habitat is part of a larger system (e.g. a wetland).

5) The government will no longer develop recovery products to aid in species recovery, i.e. if a species is endangered, the province has no obligation to do anything about it. This is unreal, and Ontarians should be ashamed of this move and the gutting of our protections of endangered species.

7) The fund that collects species conservation charges, which used to be paid by developers when destroying habitat (which was already made optional by Ford), will cease to exist, so no developers can even donate to the fund. The purpose of the fund, of course, is to fund conservation efforts, such as habitat reclamation, etc. This is a massive conflict of interest and threat to native species and their habitat. This "business" model will simply support developers with short term interests at the detriment of Ontario's vulnerable habitats.

It is absolutely shameful that these changes are being made almost under the table. PLEASE REVIEW and retract these changes, and consult scientists and experts who know better.

Thank you,

Lauren