As the General Manager of a…

As the General Manager of a First Nation Owned Forest Management Company, and as a resident of Northern Ontario who lives in a part of the Province which appears most negatively affected by the Endangered Species Act, the view of the Act is fairly negative. Although the Act's aim to protect and conserve Endangered Species and their habitat is a worthwhile endeavor, the way it has been implemented for species with large spatial ranges is limited in effectiveness, infringes on First Nations Rights and has major economic consequences.
To "Protect" habitat such as for Woodland Caribou, large areas are placed into long term deferral areas off limits to forest harvesting. The boreal forest does not remain healthy when protected, and ages into habitat which is unsuitable to the species it is meant to be created for. Without new habitat being created, either through harvesting or wild fires, Woodland Caribou's habitat will continue to disappear.
The implementation of various policies as a result of the ESA has resulted in negative impacts on local First Nation Communites who have not had Meaningful Consultation on how the act impacts their traditional use of the landscape, future economical potential or utilizes traditional ecological knowledge from the individuals with the longest knowledge of the area. The imposition of the Act onto First Nations against their will has led to vocal dislike of both the Act and species its meant to protect. Couple suggestions is that First Nation representation should be included on the COSSARO Committee, Meaningful Consultation occur when species protection infringes First Nation Rights and include Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the Protection and Recovery Strategies of Species.
As a forest manager looking at the volume reductions occurring in the FMP we are currently writing due to Woodland Caribou management, it worries me about the impacts on the local economy, workers and communities. Many of these areas are where Caribou have not resided in since prior to 1950's, and the job losses which will occur will cripple communities through the closing of local mills as not enough fiber will be available for harvest. Under this Act and the resulting policies, I feel like Northern Ontario is being forced to become a welfare state and not as a result of limited resources which could allow it to prosper.