I am writing to strongly…

I am writing to strongly object to the proposed exemptions from the Environmental Bill of Rights that will remove the right of Ontarians to be advised of, or to comment on, any required permits at Ontario Place, on or off site, to support the project.

The statement “The government would also have discretion to remove protected species from the list” is a clear sign that the government is aiming to undermine due processes that ensure the safety of endangered and at-risk species. By allowing the government the authority to dictate what species are on this list, conflicts of interest become unavoidable when dealing with protected land. We already have a government body that judges risk -- COSSARO -- and they should have sole ownership and final say on what species are on the list. Science should not be dictated by politicians.

I absolutely oppose the exclusion of the SARA species protections in the proposed Species Conservation Act 2025. This “removal of duplicate federal legislation” reveals the blatant disregard this government has for the protection of endangered aquatic species and migratory birds. It provides developers a workaround for due processes that ensure endangered species are protected and allows them to point to the proposed Species Conservation Act 2025 and justify the steps they have taken to “move projects forward in a more efficient and cost-effective manner."

Overall, this proposal is a slap in the face to Ontario and its citizens who value the biodiversity of our great province. Removing the requirement for the government to develop recovery products for species, removing the requirement for registration/permits for the impacts on migratory birds and aquatic species, and proposing giving the government power to dictate what species are on the SARO list are an amalgamation of proposed changes that showcase that the beauty and diversity of our province are not the priority of this provincial government.