While the ESA can be a…

While the ESA can be a cumbersome process which requires far more time than should be required, and is not always based in science, the proposed stripping of protections will not advance infrastructure and home building, nor will it continue to protect the species and environments that are vital to proper ecosystem planning and conservation. The proposed changes are contrary to proper science and to good planning, and are clearly not in the interest of endangered and threatened species. Further, the proposed changes do not clearly lay out a path for the necessary infrastructure and housing that is absolutely required by this province. Allowing the government to overrule COSSARO is tantamount to ignoring science completely and puts Ontario on a path of authoritarian regimes. Changing the definition of “habitat” to include only dwelling areas fails to recognize what species require to live and to thrive. While we can recognize that process changes are required to ensure consistent and timely review and approval of development, the changes put forth in this bill absolutely fail to deliver.