I am concerned that the…

I am concerned that the economy is being prioritized to an unsustainable extent in regards to endangered species preservation and habitat protection. Although this bill proposes measures for protecting the dwellings of endangered birds and other species, this legislation does not consider habitats that are necessary for migration and ensuring that these species can maintain their breeding patterns to sustain their populations. Protecting the dwellings of species will not work to improve and sustain their populations if these migratory species are unable to return to their breeding grounds. The proposed new Species Conservation Act and other federal legislation does not protect these habitats and thus the proposed legislation should be reviewed to account for all habitats and ecosystems used by these endangered species, not just their stationary dwellings. The current definitions and protections afforded under the Species At Risk Act should be maintained until such a time that this issue can be addressed in this newly proposed legislation.

The primary goal for this legislation to remove barriers to future developments is a flawed approach to endangered species and habitat protection. While economic development in the short term presents a positive impact for the economy, natural habitats and species do not operate on such a quick timeline. Current species are constantly adapting to the changes of modern development and urbanization and so reduced time for observing the impact of potential developments on previously protected land will not provide a complete assessment of the environmental impact. A species that is thriving one year may face significant harm in the next year. Surveyors and habitat monitors need the extra registration time to properly assess any proposed changes to these protected environments. Further issues are also created through the removal of requirements for developers to enact recovery plans for potential environmental impacts. Without recovery plans, the Species Conservation Program will not be able to hold these developers accountable and set priorities in future actions for businesses and the public to take to protect endangered species and habitats. As someone who values the one of a kind environment within Ontario and has a direct connection to wildlife as a way to benefit my mental health, these habitats and species are an invaluable and irreplaceable resource that is just as important as any short term economic development.