Dear Public Input…

Dear Public Input Coordinator,

I am very concerned about the difficult circumstances faced by species-at-risk in Ontario. Our province is home to 243 species that are at risk of extinction. Endangered and threatened species in Ontario have already been deprived of protections due to widespread exemptions for industry which were enacted in 2013. These exemptions have made it far too easy for critical habitat to be developed and/or fragmented, and for species-at-risk to not be adequately protected.

The Ontario government is proposing to further streamline approvals. A review of Ontario's "Endangered Species Act” (ESA) is necessary, but the Conservative government’s emphasis on creating “efficiencies for business” will likely enable industrial activities that will imperil those at-risk species (and their habitats) that required the most stringent safeguards.

The government should focus on improving implementation of the ESA, as follows:

1. Any changes to the ESA should improve protections to vulnerable species and their habitats, not weaken them.

2. The government must withdraw the 2013 regulation that exempts industry from the core protection provisions of the ESA. It must fulfill its promise to protect at-risk species by enforcing all components of the ESA. Thus, clearly-defined zones which prohibit industrial development, resource extraction, or other activities that may disturb or harm vulnerable species or their habitats should be created. This would actually be more efficient for industry, as it would then be clear where their activities are forbidden.

3. Decisions on which species should be classified as “extirpated”, “endangered”, “threatened”, or those of “special concern” (and the subsequent conservation mechanisms that are required) should be science-based and made by scientists who work in the field. Politicians should have no involvement in this process.

I strongly urge you to ensure that the ESA is implemented as it was originally intended – with a focus on protecting and recovering species-at-risk. This legislation must lead to recovery for vulnerable species in Ontario rather than changes that will drive more of them toward extinction.

Thank you for your consideration.