The 700 members of the…

The 700 members of the Kingston Field Naturalists do not support the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act or its replacement by a Species Conservation Act. Our views are set out in a letter to Minister McCarthy sent separately.
In particular, making the listing of species discretionary and the minimization of listed species habitats will mean that species deserving protection for valid scientific reasons will not be listed and even if listed will not receive necessary protection. Ontario's current listing process is rigorous and science based. Species are part of ecosystems and the habitat definition proposed in the amended legislation offers virtually no protection at all. The changes to this legislation is a major step away from Ontario's commitments to protect biodiversity. Moreover, the significant reduction of protection for listed species province wide is not necessary to enable development in special economic zones.