Committee on the Status of…

Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario should have the final say on delisting species as they are specialists and biologists, not the government as they are often not trained, pressured and have have a dual mandate which is contradictory preserve wildlife and promote the economy. Its been done and it doesn't work (see the DFO as an example, cod fishery (loss of livelihood), Salmon populations and disease in the Pacific). Those government workers who would speak out about these issues are muzzled. This is done for short term gain and political clout. Look into sustainable methods and consult specialists. Create higher density housing and keep remaining habitat in-tact.

New habitat definition does not include all critical components of a species needs and will result in reduced populations of some species while increasing others, causing a unbalance. This could result in large scale kill offs, speedier reduction of populations and booms of other species who utilize disturbed habitat, like deer, causing not only lasting negative ecological impacts like reduced biodiversity but also increases in human-wildlife conflict including, but not limited to increase in disease due to high densities of some species, collisions and associated death and injury when vehicles hit deer who thrive in urban environments.

Brittanica defines habitat as: habitat, place where an organism or a community of organisms lives, including all living and nonliving factors or conditions of the surrounding environment. A host organism inhabited by parasites is as much a habitat as a terrestrial place such as a grove of trees or an aquatic locality such as a small pond. Microhabitat is a term for the conditions and organisms in the immediate vicinity of a plant or animal.

A few facts from Oxford University:

Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth. This includes all species of plants and animals and the ecosystems that support them.

Biodiversity is central to the natural processes that we all benefit from, such as food and fuel production, maintenance of air, soil and water quality and the regulation of climate and flooding.

Biodiversity and good quality natural environments also contribute to good mental health, cohesive communities and strong local economies and it is essential in our response to climate change.