This new legislation will…

This new legislation will not adequately protect at risk species in Ontario, because it does not adequately protect their habitats. Habitat destruction is a leading cause if species decline and extirpations/extinctions globally. For instance, it's not enough to protect a place where a Blandings Turtle was seen once, because they may use multiple wetlands. So they need many wetlands protected. Plants, too, need whole forests, not just little patches where they are currently growing, such as American Ginseng. I believe the government of Ontario should work towards increasing populations of at risk species, and work to adequately protect our precious biodiversity, including mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates and plants. Biodiversity is our true wealth.

This Bill appears to cater to developers by limiting their responsibilities and decreasing the amount of effort they need to make and attention they need to pay to at risk species. They will not make this effort unless they are forced to. It also takes the onus off government to be accountable for its actions.

Money is never it's own justification, and no amount of money is worth sacrificing the well being of our family members - those with four legs, fins, feathers, exoskeletons or leaves. Those who cannot speak for themselves, for their communities, their homes, their very lives. Their fate is our fate.