I am very concerned with…

I am very concerned with this proposal. I would like to echo the concerns from environmental organizations, as I feel the same but they have written them better. Please consider the linked letter.

Concerns include
1. The proposal is weaker than the Endangered Species Act 2007. I'd like to see more protections for Ontario's at risk species. We are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis and climate crisis. Protecting species protects humans and the resources we need to live, e.g., clean air, food, water, and functioning ecosystems that provide economic opportunities.
2. The 16 activities will not protect or conserve species. It does not use an evidence-based approach to define habitat. Guidelines will not be sufficient to determine if an activity will impact a species or its habitat.
3. The definition of habitat under this proposal is pathetic. It's like saying for a human: we will protect your bedroom where you sleep but we can bulldoze through the rest of your house, it doesn't matter that you eat or use the rest of the house. We all need more area than just our bedroom to perform our life processes - the same is true for animals. The definition of habitat in this proposal must be revisited.
4. The proposal excludes examining the risk to survival of a species or habitat. Thus, how can it confidently say there will be no harm from an activity on a species or habitat?
5. The Endangered Species Act has never been sufficient, even as stated by the Auditor General reports. The number of species at risk has risen over the years. This proposal will delist species and reduce their protection. It's fine if a new approach to species at risk management is needed in Ontario, but this proposal is not the answer. It will simply weaken protection and destroy Ontario and its life.
6. There are too many discretionary powers related to listing and avoiding exemptions to habitat protections.
7. There's no insurance that Indigenous knowledge and expert advice will be taken into account.
8. Reasonable timelines for species listing and habitat protections need to be enforced.

In summary, I am deeply concerned by this proposal and would rather see the Endangered Species Act strengthened, instead of being replaced with this weaker proposal. I ask this for the future of all of Ontario as nature is intertwined with everything we hold dear. It saddens me that my kids may grow up not knowing about all these beautiful animals that will go extinct without our protection.