I disagree with the basic…

I disagree with the basic premises behind the consultation that the Endangered Species Act imposes restrictions that are too onerous on business. When the legislation was introduced a decade ago there had been extensive consultation to avoid such problems. Problems with the act are caused by exemptions brought in three years ago. Problems caused by these exemptions will be compounded by proposals for ministerial discretion which will wrongly politicize the process.

In this round of consultations it is not reasonable to expect more than the reversal of the weakening of the act by exemptions made in the past. However, it is to be hoped that that Ontario's policy framework to protect biodiversity will be eventually be expanded to include new instruments. This could be done by having a commission of inquiry which would investigate our province's role in this global crisis. New instruments could be developed such as economic incentives to prevent species loss.