"The Ministry is proposing a…

"The Ministry is proposing a long-term approach that would no longer require duplicative authorizations or a regulatory exemption under the ESA for forest operations conducted in Crown forests in accordance with an approved forest management plan under the CFSA. "

This is an abomination. No industry, least of all logging, should be exempt from the ESA. I challenge you to repeal the ESA at your earliest opportunity so that the people of Ontario will learn, with honesty on your part, that species at risk of extinction in Ontario have no meaningful protection. I dare you to do so. Could you take the heat or will you skulk off like obedient little sycophants as many of you time and again reveal yourselves to be?

You know full-well: The government is eunuch without bureaucratic complicity. As such, the responsibility for the elimination of these irreplaceable species is found squarely in your hands.

Do something principled: Walk off the job. Your paycheque and pension are not nearly as important to you or the rest of us as these species are.

Do you know something about corruption or back-room dealings? Blow the whistle!!

Given the context, these changes are squarely aimed at eroding protection for caribou. Apparently ESA protections apply in all contexts except those in which threats arise. Overall, the principal threat to caribou arises, directly or indirectly, through logging, so we’ll exempt that activity, but make all the other activities which represent far smaller threats – or no threats at all – continue to come under ESA jurisdiction. Brilliant execution; really, brilliant.

Eliminate these changes or repeal the ESA. These are the only two honest, meaningful choices you have. I wager you'll do neither, and in so (not) doing, you will reveal everything the record needs to show regarding who's guilty when these species blink out of existence.