Attention of Ontario…

Attention of Ontario Government:

The Earth is in the midst of two existential crises i.e., one of global climate change and a second of a human caused global biodiversity crisis. In our province of Ontario, there are 230 plus flora and fauna species at risk. For these species at risk to be maintained they require intact forests, wetlands, and waters in which to live. Sustaining these sustains Ontario citizens.

I would like to see the present government:

- Not repeal repeal the Endangered Species Act 2007 (ESA 2007) and replace it with a watered-down Species Conservation Act.

- Not implement Special Economic Zones where Provincial Laws and Regulations would not apply. These zones are not good for responsible government, indigenous communities, constitutional rights of Ontario citizens, and provincial democracy.

- Make a commitment to strengthen the ESA 2007. For 18 years, Ontario’s ESA 2007, has been the “gold
Standard” by which other jurisdictions measure their endangered species protection laws and regulations. With that kind of recognition, I would think that the Government of this great province of Ontario would want to keep the ESA 2007 as is rather than repeal it and replace it with a weaker watered-down Species
Conservation Act.

- Must reconsider the definition of habitat as shown in Bill 5. The actual definition of habit is that of a natural environment where flora and fauna live and have all that is required for survival with adequate food, water, shelter, and space. For these life forms the natural environment is a home creating the right
conditions for living and reproducing.

- Continue accountability and transparency by not eliminating environmental assessment, by allowing citizens to comment in 30-day periods such as with the Environmental Registry of Ontario, by taking into
account the treaties and rights of our Indigenous brethren, and leaving environments, habitats, and species intact for future generations.

- Show where there is overlap or duplication between Provincial and Federal legislation.

- Know that individual decisions on Species At Risk are not the purview of the Ontario Government but
rather through COSSARO which makes recommendations based on science and not economics.

- Do the right thing and not repeat the Bill 23 problem. The Government of Ontario is doing just that by legislating and approving Bill 5. That is unfortunate for the Government and the Citizens of Ontario. The Government is not Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy with the Bill 5 legislation. The legislation as proposed has nothing to do with the tariffs imposed by USA but everything to do with internal Ontario development and mining interests that do not consider the democratic rights of the citizens of this province including our indigenous brethren.

- Recognize that the rights of Citizens in Ontario take precedence over the rights of development and mining interests. By weakening the protections offered through the ESA 2007, the Government of Ontario does not safeguard biodiversity, does not respect Indigenous rights and does not ensure local communities benefit from the natural environment that still exists in our midst.

- Remember the future generations of this province. What will future citizens say about this province of Ontario of ours if we allow flora and fauna to disappear just because of development and mining interests? Repealing the ESA 2007 is not protecting Ontario and the economy does not need to be unleashed. So, in conclusion, it can be said if it is not broken why fix it. ESA 2007 is perfectly fine as is.