I am strongly in opposition…

I am strongly in opposition of the proposed changes to Ontario's Endangered Species Act. The changes will reduce the effectiveness of the act and are not beneficial to Ontario's flora and fauna. Instead, they primarily benefit industry.

Removing or reducing protection for species at the northern limits of their range, species that hold ecological value and fill specific ecological niches, has potential to cause rippling impacts throughout the environment.

Further, allowing non-experts to participate in COSSARO decisions reduces the integrity of the council's decisions, which result from rigorous and scrutinous analysis of the best available scientific data.

Habitat loss is the leading cause of decline in wildlife species. Allowing industry to pay fees to develop already-compromised habitats reduces corporate accountability and increases likelihood of lasting environmental damage. Overall Benefit is not equivalent to natural habitat, and the interim period to establish new habitats leaves at-risk species with inadequate conditions.