There is no good reason for…

There is no good reason for the government to make protecting endangered species optional. This proposal allows the government to arbitrarily remove protections for endangered species or ignore scientific findings and not designate species in need of protections. The government should be continued to be required to protect all species at risk in Ontario.

The proposal says the current definition of habitat is too broad. The Minister makes regulations prescribing what the habitat is, or if the Minister chooses not to, then the habitat is what is any area required for the species to carry on life processes. So government can already define what the habitat is. Current prescribed protections include places that would allow engendered species populations to expand and grow, such as by places where the species could live, but doesn't currently live. This will be gone. It will also be more vague. I'm not exactly sure on all of the currently prescribed protections that will be carried over, because the new definition is so much more vague than the current approach which is primarily tailored on species by species basis.

This proposal will also the Lieutenant Governor in Council to ignore COSSARO, the science based committee, and not protect species in the future who need protection or remove protection from species COSSARO has already decided need protection and are currently protected.

This proposal will legalize harassment. Why does this government want to be able to harass animals, plants and other species? The proposal doesn't say. It also seems like in most cases people will be able to kill, harm, capture and destroy habitats of species at risk as long as they register it after the SCA comes into force. No prior approval required.

None of those changes will make species more protected, but they will make it easier for them to harmed or killed and harder for them to have any chance at thriving again. It will also make the protecting endangered species directed by unprofessional, rather than scientific interests. Do not move forward with this proposal.