I do not support the…

I do not support the proposed changes to the Ontario Endangered Species Act. As a member of the international scientific community who lives and works in Ontario and has worked on species that have been classified as endangered in Ontario, I reflect the opinion of many who have international colleagues who have commented to me that these recommended changes are appalling and make all Ontario’s science and scientists appear unworthy of respect. In the past, Ontario’s Species at Risk science and scientist were highly respected around the world and were applauded for their contributions. Not so if this travesty is enacted. Scientists need to be consulted. Politics should not trump science, and unjustifiably changing the status of endangered species is simply ludicrous. Many examples could be cited here; for example, the endangered American eel. Ontario led the way in indicating the catastrophic North American decline of this species, and after 20 years, others are now following suit. To revert this species back to any lesser state would make Ontario and Ontario scientists the laughing stock of the world. Quebec and the U.S. do not classify the American eel as endangered, but the IUCN does. To change the endangered status of this species in Ontario to anything less would be a gross injustice. Just look into this history of this decline. It’s a bellwether species, signalling problems that we are perpetrating on the aquatic environment and its species. The status should not change. A very strong Recovery Strategy and plan was developed and the Response Statement was greatly delayed, which was in appropriate and apparently will become the norm under the proposed changes. A major injustice, but at least it was posted and I know that many were not pleased with the Response Statement. It was totally inadequate and years later still has not been finalized.

Provided by a concerned aquatic scientist having studied a number of species currently classified as endangered in Ontario who does not support the government’s meddling with the proposed Species at Risk Act changes.