I have heard that the…

I have heard that the proposed changes will include:

- Species listed as threatened or endangered may no longer be automatically protected

- Changes to “edge of range” species means considering populations outside of Ontario when listing a species at risk. This includes many Southern Ontarian species, allowing Ontario to simply opt out of protecting species at home.

- Introducing pay-to-proceed system on harmful activities. Developers and proponents should not be allowed to pay their way out of protecting endangered species’ habitats.

- Opening the scientific committee to non-scientist members. This change could allow people with no knowledge or scientific background to be involved in decisions for species.

- Giving the Minister the discretion to interfere with the listing of at risk species, bringing politics into the protection of endangered species.

I am strongly opposed to any such changes. We as a province have been going through so much change and development, and I have personally seen such a loss of habitat and numbers in species are declining. Any waffling on the protection of habitat and species in danger MUST NOT be allowed to happen.