Do better. Live up to the…

Do better. Live up to the mandate of Environmental Conservation and do not concede protections with the agenda of green-lighting development projects at the expense of proper stewardship of species at risk or even at the expense of our beloved regulars. Other portfolios bear the mandate of clearing the way for economic growth. This portfolio should focus on and do a proper job of advocating on behalf of robust measures that keep our wild zones safe from unnecessary trespass. The play-book demonstrated in the passing of and selling to the public of these new legislations is transparent, tired, and condescending. There are countless experts who are calling out how the proposed legislation is not one that favours the interests of the very habitats, animals, and plants it claims to be helping... but their voices are being disregarded in favour of profit. Offering some nice carrots that sound good ... increased funding for such and such, focusing efforts where they can do the most good, etcetera, are at best ingenuous efforts to cover the stink of a bad deal. This portfolio was not created with the purpose of clearing the way for the exploitation of resources. The coopting of the legislation to do this flies in the face of good stewardship practice, indigenous voices with the insight and sovereignty to deserve a primary place at the table, and in the face of the most basic practices of wisdom around creating thriving and sustainable ecosystems. In fact don't just do better. Please cease & desist.