Weakening the Ontario's…

Weakening the Ontario's Endangered Species act, as I'm sure you're aware your proposals would-- is a dangerous threat to the Ontario we love: our wildlife, our great outdoors, our precious ecosystems.

Ontario's economy has not been hindered by this act: we have a low unemployment rate, and have experienced significant growth during the time this act has been in place. (see link) In contrast, some endangered species in our province have seen a 60% reduction. They are in grave danger and need our protection!

Protection delayed is protection denied. The proposals you label as 'discussion' items are illogical, generally boiling down to delay tactics to allow unsafe development before legal protections of endangered species can be enacted.

If a species is endangered by your independant scientific office, that means it's survival is in jeapordy AT THE TIME it has been listed as such. Creating bureaucratic delays in the official status is essentially to delay communication, in other words misinform the public and the business community. Whether a species is in danger is NOT a ministerial decision, it is a scientific reality which is decided, as currently, by an independent, non-partisan body. IF a species is truly endangered, it requires immediate, and yes, automatic help! Would you deny a sick pet or child immediate attention if you saw they were dying? Let me remind you, that a 60% reduction in a species means 60% of those precious creatures who made our province the rich, natural wonder it is, are now dead!

These 'discussion' proposals complain of processing time taking too long, then propose to add additional delays to status updates. This makes no sense. If the process takes too long and creates instability for the business community (where is your evidence of this?), it is the government's responsiblilty to communicate changes more clearly, in a more timely manner. The WWF report on endangered species in Canada (see link) points to a more likely cause of delays in this process, underfunding.

Finally, if a species is in danger, it's survival depends on habitat that must be protected. There is no question of whether this is 'warranted' or not, and a general conservation fund does not make up for precious, specific habitats lost.

If any changes are made to the Endangered species act, they should be to strengthen it. There is already an over generous provision allowing leniency when 'Significant social or economic benefit' is considered.

Please look around you at the state our planet is in. Consider the science responsibly. Honour your duty to Ontarians present and future. Don't undermine the barest protections we have.