I am concerned the proposed…

I am concerned the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act will effectively remove all safety nets for species at risk in this province.

These changes propose to gut the cornerstones of the law that made species recovery and survival possible. I'm especially concerned about the following proposed changes:

-Species listed as threatened or endangered may no longer be automatically protected.
-Changes to “edge of range” species means considering populations outside Ontario when listing a species at risk. This includes many Southern Ontarian species, allowing Ontario to simply opt out of protecting species at home.
-Introducing a pay-to-proceed system on harmful activities: Developers and proponents should not be allowed to pay their way out of protecting endangered species’ habitats.
-Opening the scientific committee to non-scientist members: This change could allow people with no knowledge or scientific background to be involved in decisions for species.
-Giving the Minister the discretion to interfere with the listing of at risk species, bringing politics into the protection of endangered species.