Designation of endangered…

Designation of endangered species should be a matter for research and scientists, not elected officials and public opinion. Protection of endangered species should never be at the whim of elected officials or a matter subject to majority opinion through an election.

We have a Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect individuals and minorities because certain things in the charter should not be decided by majorities or opinions. We need to be just as careful about protecting the environment that serves us all, including protecting species at risk which have no vote in our elections. The existing Endangered Species Act is recognised for doing a laudable job of this. It does not require changes to improve what it does.

I want the provincial government to keep its hands off the Endangered Species Act. I have seen enough damage done (and more threatened) in our community already, brought about at least in part through reckless action in a previous term restricting the voice of conservation authorities. This opened the door for two developers to attempt pushing through projects unconnected in any way with affordable housing or sensible community development, that threaten environmentally sensitive areas and endangered species. Previously these were not attempted because the SVCA would have rightly prevented them. Now we have to spend our own money fighting this stupidity instead. We have conservation authorities for good reasons. They mostly do a good job and should be allowed to continue doing it without further legislative interference.

Action may well be needed to improve the Ontario economy, but not in this way. I am firmly opposed to these proposed changes and to replacing the existing Act which is doing what it should quite well enough.