Changes to the Endangered…

Changes to the Endangered Species Act should improve protections, not water them down further. This review is not in the best interest to protect Ontario's endangered species, and is instead aimed to find efficiencies for industries that want to operate in the protected regions where these species live. This review won’t help species at risk if it doesn’t address exemptions that make it too easy for business and industry to do even more harm to critical habitat. I care about Ontario's continually declining species, and am highly concerned at watching them decline in record numbers. More needs to be done to protect them.

What I want to see in a strengthened species-at-risk act:
- Clearly defined no-go zones protect wildlife while creating efficiencies for business by making it clear where development won’t be permitted (no exemptions).
- Protections that lead to recovery for species-at-risk in Ontario.
- Remove the 2013 amendment that exempts a broad suite of industrial and development activities from the rules against harming endangered and threatened species and their habitats. These species can't be protected when providing exemptions (and making them more accessible like your new plan appears to).
- Improved communication and transparency of COSSARO provided to the public in a timely manner.