The current process is slow…

The current process is slow for a reason. Sometimes obtaining the necessary information to protect an already at risk species or avoid causing damage to its habitat is time-consuming, because these species are already more rare or elusive than others. By "streamlining" this process as proposed and eliminating the need for permits, damage and loss will be allowed far before any restrictions are placed on projects, or before attention is even directed to a project since work would have started immediately. This harm to species could be insurmountable, especially if those individuals who are educated about the species and the specific threats they face are left out of the conversation (I.e., eliminating the advisory committees). While the public and indigenous groups are important perspectives to include when developing new regulations, educated parties, internal and external from the government, who have spent years devoting their time to these species and their habitats should have the final say. Not those government officials who are more focused on reducing red tape to make their jobs easier and making money than they are on protecting the incredible biodiversity that this province holds and reducing the already high impact that humans have on crucial ecosystems and keystone species. While I understand the need for sustainable economic growth in Ontario, it should not be at the expense of species at risk.

In regards to the removal of "harrass" from species protections - the allowance of harassment creates a high potential for species loss and death through imposed stress on a species or through deterrence from accessing crucial areas that the species' needs to survive. In terms of habitat, many species shift between crucial habitats (some of which are very far from one another) on different timelines (i.e., daily, weekly, seasonally). By altering the definition of habitat, some of these *crucial* migration routes could be impacted since they are not technically dwellings. Migration needs to be included as one of the core elements of species habitat, because it is.
Without the requirement of recovery plans, funding would not be allocated to this necessary task, and therefore, any funding directed towards a species recovery would not have a place to start, and would end up not being used and directed elsewhere.
Overall, ridiculous that any of these changes and this new act are being proposed in the first place. Species protection and conservation should continue to be a high priority for all Ontarians, regardless of the potential impact that the current restrictions and regulations have on the timeliness and cost of development procedures. Anyone entering into a development project (public or private) should be prepared to handle these requirements, otherwise, we know where their true loyalties lie.