The current proposed changes…

The current proposed changes to the Ontario Endangered Species Act weaken the protection for Ontario species at risk (SAR), the opposite of the Act’s intent.

Delaying timelines for a species to be added to the SARO list is not protecting SAR. These species have been deemed at risk through a science and evidence-based process by COSSARO, meaning that Ontario is at risk of losing these species if action is not taken. By delaying timelines, the Ontario Government is delaying actions to protect these species.

COSSARO is the independent party that is made up of academics, expert ecologist and wildlife managers who conduct and review the science in order to form a qualified opinion for whether a species should be listed or not. This process requires qualified individuals who have a fundamental knowledge in biology, ecology or natural history and are up to date with scientific information and wildlife management to be able to make informed decisions on the future of species in Ontario. Adding “others with community knowledge” should be better defined and the process of the Minister to review the scientific evidence is redundant. In addition, having the Minister intervene the independent process of listing SAR only politicizes it.

The Ontario Endangered Species Act should consider species in Ontario as its geographic scope because that is the geographic scope the Ontario Government is responsible for. Ontarians are at even greater risks of losing numerous species with these proposed changes. These species play important roles in our ecosystems in Ontario. Ecosystems that if protected and maintained provide services that benefit all Ontarians and future generations such as clean air, clean water, flood mitigation, healthy soils, etc. Minimizing protection for species otherwise at risk in Ontario because they have a wider geographic scope weakens the natural heritage and ecological value of Ontario that the people of Ontario rely upon.

Creating a fund for developers or municipalities to pay into in lieu of mitigating impact of SAR on the ground will not benefit species at risk. Sacrificing species and their habitats will only benefit a few Ontarians in the short term, while safeguarding these species and the landscape the live on will benefit all Ontarians current and future. This act is intended to protect species and their habitat deemed at risk, not to sell them.

These proposed changes to the Ontario Endangered Species Act will not protect SAR or their habitat as the Ontario Government say they are committed to. I urge the Government of Ontario to seriously reconsider these propose changes to this Act. Before making changes to the current Act, consult science based and evidence-based information and experts who protect these species and their habitats, consider the long-term environmental impacts and the health and well-being of current and future generations in Ontario.