Dear Government of Ontario,…

Dear Government of Ontario,

Thank you for the opportunity to add my voice to the consultation on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) review and discussion paper.

I am very concerned at the number of species in ON that are currently listed as "endangered" and the even greater number that are already "at risk". With the effects of climate change growing, stress on all these species can only be expected to increase.

My understanding is that the current ESA legislation would be much more effective if the enforcement of it was improved. The science is clearly showing that business-as-usual development and industrial activities continue to threaten the survival and recovery of wildlife in Ontario. What is needed is not greater efficiency for industry but, rather, greater efficiency and an increased effort to recover the province’s at-risk species before they are gone.

Therefore, I urge you to:

• Focus on habitat-protection measures that are effective for the listed species and that simultaneously improve outcomes for multiple species at risk.

• Work with other ministries to ensure coordination to limit cumulative impacts on the lands and waters that provide wildlife habitat.

• Repeal the long list of exemptions for forestry, hydro, mining and commercial development, approved by cabinet in 2013.

• Amend the law to set a higher bar for creating exemptions through regulation by ensuring they cannot jeopardize the recovery of threatened or endangered species.

• Ensure local communities benefit from activities to maintain and restore endangered species and their habitat, including rural and northern communities.

• Support the continued leadership and critical role of Indigenous Peoples in conservation initiatives.

Thank you for accepting my input.