I would like to start with…

I would like to start with the statement that I am deeply opposed to this bill. The proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act provide far too much power to the Minister, meaning decisions that are normally made by experts in the fields related to endangered species conservation have now become politically motivated. It would be absolutely ridiculous to presume that a government Minister could make an unbiased decision with regard to a proposed development that affects endangered species. The fact that the first point in allowing exceptions in response to hypothetical economic and social impacts justifies the Minister in blatently disregarding the specific needs of the species in question. This bill, and the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act would have direct consequences on my job and the jobs of my coworkers who include ecologists, biologists, arborists and landscape architects. This does nothing but make it easier for developers and would be developers to bypass the needs of species at risk at the cost of jobs of those in the service industry working with endangered species and environmental protection. At the same time, with the housing market in a state of decline across the province, this encourages and allows developers to proceed with developments in areas which may otherwise have remained protected due to the presence of species at risk. I urge this government to think of the long term future of this province, because once these habitats are lost, they are lost forever. And the species, while possibly present in other parts of the country or within neighbouring states, will be lost to this province. That would be a sad day when the province has to read a statement that, "the butternut has been extirpated from Ontario, but hey, you can drive to northern Michigan if you want to see one". Please consider all the industries and jobs that are affected by this bill, as well as the health, character and identity of this great province and do not pass this into law.