I love Ontario because of…

I love Ontario because of its natural beauty and wildlife. This proposed Species Conservation Program is deeply concerning. A part of my own, and so many other Canadian's identities, are reflected in our natural environments that have been conserved and protected beyond the push of industrialization. People come to Canada to be outside and witness our wildlife.

In the new Species Conservation Program, there is no outline for the protection of habitat for endangered and at risk species. This is a threat to the environments so many Canadians hold close to their hearts.

We need policy to assist in conserving and producing recovery strategies for our endangered species, including birds. I do not see any plan for this in the proposed legislation.
If we do not protect habitats and endangered species - what we have will be lost to industries that take from our natural environments and leave them abolished and vacant. Habitat protection is critical to maintain our environments.
Once these things are gone, they are gone forever. A temporary economic boost to allow for easier access to our pristine spaces can never replace what has been lost - habitats and Canadian wildlife.

Coming from the prairies, where habitat has had far less protection (4% of natural prairie land is left!!), I value seeing Ontario's natural beauty, birds, and national/provincial parks. I do not want to see the rest of Canada reflect the destruction that has happened in the prairies.

The original habitat definitions in the Endangered Species Act should be retained - and at the BARE MINIMUM protection for threatened and endangered birds should continue to exist for habitat on provincial and crown land! Conservation will not occur on its own without the proper policy in place. We need incentives for land protection on private land. Additionally - threatened and endangered species need plans to recover and survive. Humans have the power to repair and renew populations of these species - this has happened across the world. These efforts can work in parallel with industry - it is about mutual respect.

If these thing are not done, this Species Conservation Program is not living up to its name - it is simply a proactive title draped over a legislation that allows industry to consume natural Canadian spaces without care. We are better than this - Canadians from Ontario deserve better than this. Endangered species do not have the power to speak up for themselves.