I am submitting a response…

I am submitting a response to the ERO posting Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou in Ontario. I commend the Ontario government for moving forward with such an agreement in collaboration with the Canadian Government with an aim of also harmonizing federal and provincial responsibilities for species at risk. Laying out a strategy for Caribou are recognized as a species at risk throughout the Caribou range and there is an opportunity to learn from others through this process. I urge Ontario to continue to engage stakeholders, in particular those who reside near and within caribou ranges and are most affected by strategies, plans and regulations in consideration of caribou conservation measures. I also urge Ontario to recognize the imperative to understand the social, economic and environmental implications and trade-offs when proposing actions and making decisions about Caribou conservation measures in northern Ontario. Lastly, I encourage Ontario to firmly recognize the importance of new knowledge and that our planet is changing and that forecasted climate change results will potentially significantly alter current paradigms about caribou conservation including for example range distribution and future habitat distribution and suitability.