Basically the existing Act…

Basically the existing Act is great and it doesn't need any major changes to it.
Area of Focus 1 - Landscape approaches: No changes are needed to use the current legislation more effectively. It has been used for the Woodland Caribou and could be used for other species.
Area of Focus 2 - listing process and protections for Species at Risk: There needs to be regular updating of existing tools, such as the CAOSSARO website, which would improve notification. The information on upcoming meetings and the list of species to be assessed is almost two years out of date!!! It would improve notification to simply devoting more resources to updating the website regularly. No changes are needed to automate listing and automatic species and habitat protection. These mechanisms are the core function of the Act and to change them would be destroying the very reasons for which the Act was created.
Area of Focus 3 - Species Recovery Policies and Habitat Regulations: There is no need to change the timeline for development of the GRS or FYR or to restrict the use of habitat regulations. The GRS and FYR are key to implementing recovery! Oe of the main threats to species at risk is loss of habitat and requirements such as the habitat regulation are key to ensuring the appropriate amount and location of habitat is protected!
Area of Focus 4 - Authorization processes: The Endangered Species Act already has a suite of authorizations that enable activities to occur so there is no need to widen the suite further. Overall benefits must be set up to give a benefit to the species being affected by an activity. An option such as donating to a conservation bank would not be species specific and would be much less likely to benefit the species. Other options presented, such as simplifying permit requirements for s. 17(2)d would lessen the protection given to species at risk and be to their detriment! Permitting requirements should not be weekend through regulations in the name of efficiency! What is not clear and needs more resources is that there needs to be more sufficient inspection and compliance monitoring of existing permitting regulations!