I am entirely opposed to the…

I am entirely opposed to the proposed changes to the ESA. Human activity has already degraded much of the natural environment that other species, not just threatened or endangered ones, depend on. Protection for species at risk must be enhanced not sold to whomever can afford to pay the fee. It is absolutely unacceptable to accept any form of payment in lieu of protecting vulnerable species or the habitat they require. It is also unacceptable to grant discretion to override environmental protection to a single person, even if that person is the minister (MECP). Not requiring advice from experts ensures that the Minister will make uninformed choices. Adding members to COSSARO who will not necessarily have any scientific knowledge of the species or habitat in question is simply ludicrous and cannot be justified.

This proposal is not the route to economic prosperity. Previous governments have dug a deep financial hole that limits the current government's ability to achieve fiscally responsible budgets. That is understood by most, however attempting to balance the books on the backs of the most endangered species and habitats is not the answer. Humans have destroyed much of the natural world in the name of economic prosperity and yet the province still finds itself in formidable debt. Clearly abusing endangered species will not be the road to financial sustainability the current administration believes it will be