Once they're gone, they're…

Once they're gone, they're gone.

While I do not oppose efficiencies like maintaining a list of endangered species (as long as it is in line with federal and international classifications), I strongly oppose the concentration of decision-making power included in Bill 5. No one person should have the ability to decide what happens to our endangered species, and the government should not hold the power to remove species from the endangered list or to change their classification, e.g. to extirpated.

With potentially devastating results, I also object to rushing decisions regarding endangered species. I worry that the concentration of power and lack of guardrails will mean we lose species for good. I worry that exempting projects from Ontario laws will allow developers to run roughshod over our environment, and the animals, plants and humans that live in it.

I am extremely concerned by the erosion of democracy in Ontario. Decisions, especially those that affect our environment, plants, animals, human health and human rights, should not be concentrated in the hands of a few ministers.

As you have introduced this bill while Ontarians were busy with the federal election, are recovering from an ice storm, and are being bombarded with threats from the U.S., I respectfully ask that you extend the comment period to give Ontarians a chance to understand and debate the bill.