Although obtaining permits…

Although obtaining permits can be a lengthy process, they are that way for a reason. Removing the need for the ministry to approve permits removes all necessary truth finding in proposed building areas. In removing this, construction can and will destroy important habitats and habitat corridors for species at risk (SAR). Animals will either be displaced from their homes, or directly killed as a result of this. It is mandatory that permits are not approved immediately as we must ensure that there is sufficent time for consultations and surveys to take place on proposed building areas. It is impossible to know what species inhabit every square inch of the province without first engaging in the science that tells us so. We have already had species in Ontario extirpated from the province. Changing the ESA in the proposed way all but ensures that we will be adding many more species to that list. Not all species are hardy and are very sensitive to to environmental changes. They will not be able to survive losing habitat. It is also important that we do not limit protections in areas in which SAR hibernate or reproduce. Buffer areas are incredibly important as we must ensure that there is sufficent habitat in the surrounding area in which SAR can move freely to source food, shelter, and reproduce. Many species of turtles for example need several stretches of km surrounding these protected areas as they frequently travel to spread their genetics. Removing protection for habitat corridors will not stop these animals from moving, it will only increase the rate of road mortality that we already see.

Furthermore, COSSARO as an entity has far more knowledge and experience with classifying and protecting species at risk than a provincial government that is constantly changing. In allowing the government access to adding and removing spcies from the list of protected species, this will only serve as a further gateway to fast track construction at the risk of SAR and exploiting this loophole for financial benefit.

Also allowing ANY collection, selling, killing, or harm of a SAR with the necessary permit is absolutely ubsurd. In allowing this you are ensuring that entire populations of SAR will be wiped off the map for the right price. Absolutely disgusting policy change.

I do believe that this province needs to grow, but not at the cost of species that have already been put at risk do to the consequences of human actions. Recovery strategies and management plans are absolutely necessary if we want to walk the balance of economic growth and environmental protection. Removing this necessity all but ensures that recovery strategies will no longer take place as it then becomes optional and yet another thing for companies or individuals to allocate money to.

For a province that's, ''not for sale'', these policy changes read as, ''endagered species protections? you can be exempt...for the right price''.