Already, routinely granted…

Already, routinely granted exemptions to the Act make it far too easy for development and industry to tear up and cut through critical habitat. Businesspeople likely do not want to negatively impact wildlife but may be at a competitive disadvantage without rules creating a level playing field, set by government.

Changes to the Endangered Species Act should improve protections, not water them down even further. The overall cost including, increasingly, to our own collective well-being, is less if we preserve our collective treasure of species and habitat, vs the cost of allowing loopholes for development and industry.

This review won’t help species at risk if it doesn’t address exemptions that make it too easy for business and industry to do even more harm to critical habitat. Clearly defined no-go zones protect wildlife – while creating efficiencies for business by making it clear where development won’t be permitted.

We need protections that lead to recovery for species-at-risk in Ontario– we don’t need changes that will drive more species to extinction. Half of Canada’s wildlife are in decline – by a whopping 83 per cent. Provincial governments must be part of the solution.