Please do not move forward…

Please do not move forward with these changes. The definition of habitat as it currently is in the ESA does not need to be changed. Habitat is more than simply discrete spaces in which species sleep, eat, or mate. Interconnectedness of natural spaces is critical to maintaining intact ecosystems and changing the definition to facilitate development and further fragment habitat would be a grave mistake. A register first process would also be a grave mistake. Allowing development activity to commence prior to permitting would result in unprecedented habit destruction. Permits are a necessary tool to maintain intact ecosystems and protect Ontario's species.