Hello I am deeply concerned…

Hello
I am deeply concerned about this proposal. I echo the linked letter from environmental organizations and urge Ontario to make their suggested changes.

I am also against this proposal as it weakens what is already a weak Endangered Species Act 2007. Bill 5 is making it worse and also needs to be addressed more broadly.

This proposal will further undermine progress on Ontario Biodiversity Strategy and further impreil our most vulnerable species. These species deserve to live and they play a role in the ecosystem, which supports humans. We need to live together and not endlessly destroy their/our habitat.

This proposal limits the definition of habitat. It basically says, let's protect your bedroom but we don't care about the rest of your house. We don't care about your access to the refrigerator for food, your route to the bathroom, your area to socialize, etc. How would you feel if the government did this to you? It says to me they don't care about me, they just want to go about their business no matter who it hurts.

There is too much discretion in this proposal, especially regarding species listing. It removes an independent and evidence-based assessment approach.

It offloads responsibility for migratory birds and aquatic species to the federal government. Species protection is a shared responsibility.

The proposal puts registration first, which will not guarantee any protection.

The proposal eliminates recovery strategies, making it impossible to assess, mitigate and avoid harm to species. It also will delist many species who truly need our protection.

I would like to see all these issues addressed. Please see the letter for elaboration on what Ontario can and should do.