I am against this proposal…

I am against this proposal. Protections for vulnerable or endangered species should remain in place. It is my understanding that Ontario represents approximately 25% of the global black ash range, so we have a responsibility to ensure the preservation of this species. Given the black ash is threatened by the emerald ash borer, the goal should be to preserve as many species as possible in order to maintain genetic diversity. Additionally, this delay would likely create an incentive for destruction in black ash habitat within the timeline of the paused protections, created a situation that is in opposition to the claim that this delay would allow the ministry to "better understand the threats to Black Ash trees and the best way to recover it" by inducing yet another threat.