I am writing to voice…

I am writing to voice concerns I have with some of the general priorities and specific actions set out in the current review of Ontario's Endangered Species Act. The overall impression of the review suggests an inappropriate priority on loosening regulations in a manner that favours irresponsible economic development and is fundamentally antithetical to the intended goals of this legislation (i.e., the protection of at risk and endangered biodiversity). These priorities are evident in three of the four focus areas outlined in the review document (Areas of Focus 2, 3, 4), including proposals to alter authorization, listing processes, and habitat regulations in a manner that would be preferred by business interests.

I find the overall tone of the review and the recurring theme of loosening regulation in favour of economic development distressing and at odds with the intended goals of the Endangered Species Act.

I hope that this opinion will be repeated in other statements that you accrue during this comment period, and that this repetition will help underscore the unfortunate limitations of the review as it currently exists and suggest new priorities for future improvements of this legislation.