This is a significant step…

This is a significant step backward in protection for vulnerable species. There is no point in protecting nesting and denning sites for species at risk without providing habitat for all life functions. The present regulations do impact development opportunities when the activity destroys critical habitat elements essential for life.

The delays in processing development plans are due in large part to a lack of advanced habitat inventory which is a long standing provincial funding issue.

The province forgets that it exists on Anishnabae terrritories and the FN are nothing if not sensitive to their ecological surroundings as it is at the core of their beliefs. Development does not happen in the 21st century without their blessing.

This is folly pure and simple. It is short sighted and irreversible in it's impacts. If the Ford government is looking for a signature moment for it's legacy this is no way to produce it.

I expect the Schad Foundation, the bane of the Harris government and bear hunting to jump in bed with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to oppose this degradation of environmental protections. Strange bed fellows but bad environmental policies will do that.