The ESA is an essential…

The ESA is an essential protection for Ontario’s natural environment. The proposed changes would put species at further risk of endangerment, extirpation, or even extinction. Allowing projects to move ahead without proper oversight - essentially the “honour system” - opens up the potential for abuse of the system. Who would be monitoring these builds or enforcing protections in this case? Finding a problem after the fact will not help if a species or habitat is already lost. Proactive laws are always favourable to reactive laws when it comes to protecting our environment - we can’t afford to make mistakes when it involves delicate ecosystems and vulnerable species. Giving up the protections of the ESA in favour of easing and encouraging development is not the choice to make. We have just as much, or more, responsibility to wildlife as we do to builders. Please keep the ESA intact as law.