I oppose Bill 5. The Ontario…

I oppose Bill 5. The Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects species at risk and habitats that are needed for survival. I understand that this Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation protecting biodiversity in Ontario. The ESA must NOT be amended and be replaced with weaker legislation.

Under the current ESA, species are designated to be at risk by an independent body (COSSARO) that assesses the best available scientific evidence. Since politicians are not experts in the field of biodiversity, and nor are private sector developers, why should something so crucial as protecting wildlife be handed over to people who would not be using scientific evidence to make their decisions. Humans have reigned supreme long enough having made many species to disappear - this HAS to STOP. Once species are gone they are gone.

Bill 5 must be stopped.