Re. EBR 013-4143 10th Year…

Re. EBR 013-4143 10th Year Review of Ontario's Endangered Species Act

World renowned wildlife scientists predict that since 1970 and by 2020, 2/3 of the world's wildlife will be gone. Ontario is not immune to this. We need wildlife to keep the ecosystem healthy.

Ontario MUST provide strict protections for species at risk. The proposals being considered will not accomplish this. These proposals would make it easier for industry and developers to destroy the habitat of unprotected animals and plants.

The ESA's purpose is to protect wildlife and to help at risk species to recover.

I urge MECP to:

-Repeal the 2013 exemptions for forestry, hydro, mining and development industries

-Amend section 57 (1)1 so exemptions are only allowed if they will not jeopardize survival and recovery of endangered and threatened species

-Maintain COSSARO's current science based listing process

-Maintain mandatory habitat protection with no ministerial discretion

-Maintain the requirement for proponents of harmful activities to provide an on-the-ground overall benefit to species impacted, with absolutely NO OPTION to pay into a fund to compensate for harm.

Please listen to what the huge majority of Ontarians want.