Some of my most significant…

Some of my most significant concerns are below.

1) If the Bill is passed, the government would have the authority to add extirpated, endangered and threatened species, as well as remove species from the protected species list, at their discretion overriding the current independent body (COSSARO) with determining which species get listed as endangered, threatened, etc. or remove or downgrade currently listed species. Having an independent body, in theory, should ensure unbiased, scientifically sound evaluations, leading to effective conservation efforts of species at risk. Species at risk are all cogs in the wheel we call biodiversity. Biodiversity should be valued because it strengthens ecosystem resilience, which is essential for the stability of societies. Just as a malfunctioning cog can disrupt an entire machine, the loss of a species no matter how rare can disrupt the delicate balance of an ecosystem. Short-term economic gain vs. long-term pain (ecologically, socially and economically).

2) Allowing extirpated, endangered or threatened species to be harassed without penalty is not a meaningful approach in 21st century.

3) Definitions of species habitat, if amended under the ESA and the proposed SCA, are much too restrictive. It doesn’t take a biologist to know that this is ridiculous.

4) The government would no longer be required to produce species recovery strategies. Although inherently flawed from the beginning and with subsequent changes (e.g., November 2021 report of the Auditor General of Ontario), sensible changes could be made to streamline this component.