I wholeheartedly disagree…

I wholeheartedly disagree with these proposed changes to the Act. All species are important and reducing protections, especially when there is an increased threat to ecosystem dynamics from climate change, is not in the best interest of Ontario.

Firstly, I do not understand the new powers extended to the Minister. "provide greater Minister’s discretion on protections, while keeping the assessment as a science-based process at arm’s length" What does that mean? I do not understand how you continue calling it a science based approach if the minister has the final say. Is Rod Phillips a trained biologist? Ecologist? A secret expert on the preservation of species? I do not a agree with giving the Minister the authority to suspend species and habitats protections and extend review timelines. Also, I would like to think that science, and the data and information collected by Ontario scientists is considered and implemented into policy, not held at arms length.

Secondly, the proposed trust does not seem like it will provide species protection, especially when the funds collected will "fund only those activities that are reasonably likely to support the protection and recovery of prescribed species." My issue here is with the term reasonably likely, instead of ensuring direct protections on sites where we know species will be impacted, we will take money and support causes that may or may not support the species being affected?

Please reconsider these changes. Reducing species protections and Ontario's biodiversity is not in the best interest of Ontario and the environment that Ontarians cherish.