I am a Biologist, and have…

I am a Biologist, and have represented the Ontario government previously, as a Wildlife Biologist and Species at Risk Biologist for both the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for 10 years. I have first hand experience with the internal affairs and how business was conducted within the department upholding the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA).

When the ESA was moved from MNRF to MECP by the current government, this was done in such a way that ensured that the department was unable to function and therefore would become dysfunctional, in order to then say that it is an obstacle. I will also say that building and infrastructure was never stopped by the ESA. There were always exemptions in place to ensure that economics were not hindered. The ESA is not the thing that is causing any impact on affordable housing and infrastructure, this lays elsewhere. We currently have many species in Ontario that are at the brink of being extirpated from Ontario, no protection will ensure that. In addition, many natural areas that are habitat will also no longer have any protection, so reducing any green/natural areas we have left.

For the next generation, the thought of species that will become extinct due to this Act being amended, will make my life's work feel like an absolute waste of time. I am against this proposed amendment.

Instead of looking to the environment, improvements should be made to improve planning and infrastructure, lower the cost of housing, not destructing more land to build more houses that people are unable to afford.

No protection for many natural areas which are habitat for these species, we will be left with a concrete, barren land, with ever more increasingly severe weather as we have seen recently in Southern Ontario, as well as dirty drinking water, and air. These severe weather events will cause more negative impacts on housing and infrastructure.