As it stands, development…

As it stands, development has already been given priority over environmental considerations and protection. We have always had development encroach on ESAs, greenspace, and fill in wetlands in non designated areas. Assessments to find species at risk prior to construction are done hastly over a short period of time and these assessments often aid development rather than conserve habitat. We need legislation to further protect ESAs, greenspace, forests, and especially wetlands- habitats key to Ontario's species at risk. There is plenty of land that is already zoned for development and plenty of vacant buildings in every city that require re-development. Focus should be on those areas of already developed cities, not in species habitats.