The Ontario Endangered…

The Ontario Endangered Species Act (OESA) is crucial for protecting and recovering species at risk of extinction in the province.

Main negative points of the proposed changes:
* Schedule 9 - Special Economic Zones Act gives overriding powers that transcend the rest of the bill zones, can be for any reason and any location
* No legislative oversight, so there is no way to limit its powers - recovery is no longer a goal
* Ministers can hand-pick corporations and exempt them from having to comply with provincial and municipal law
* Thresholds are not defined - gives the power to make them whatever they want; the bill leaves the cabinet to define the terms with no democratic dialogue or community consultation

In summary, the OESA is a crucial tool for ensuring biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem health, and protecting / recovering at-risk species. It provides a framework for identifying, protecting, and recovering species at-risk, promotes stewardship, and addresses the impacts of human activities on wildlife and their habitats.