1. assessing species at risk…

1. assessing species at risk and listing them on the species at risk in Ontario list.

The minister of environment is not an environmental scientist or biologist and should not be able to ask COSSARO to reconsider the classification of a species. COSSARO consists of trained professionals and their opinion should be met with acceptance and protection of the species should begin right away.

Forcing COSSARO to consider a species broader biological geographic area is not a suitable way to protect a species. Individuals of a species that are located at the northern edge, as many species in Canada are, may be genetically different from those at the rest of the range. If a species is endangered or threatened in Ontario but not throughout the rest of its range, it still requires protection. In the face of changing climates, the Ontario populations could be the individuals that persist long term.

2. defining and implementing species and habitat protection.

These proposed changes will not help species at risk. Allowing the Minister to be able to suspend protection of a species that the scientific community recommends being listed is dangerous and irresponsible. The habitat needs to be protected immediately, no matter what that means for big business. Big business and the economy as a whole cannot work without the natural environment and the natural environment cannot work without the species existing in natural equilibrium. All species at important to this system. A temporary suspension will ALWAYS jeopardize an already at risk species. Developing habitat with known species at risk on it should never be permitted.

The minister of environment is often not trained in environmental science and should strictly have to follow the advice of the leading body of scientists that have dedicated their lives to studying these systems.

3. Developing species at risk recovery policies

The Minister of Environment is not a trained environmental scientist or biologist. The minister should not be allowed to extend the nine-month GRS timeline for any species after a species has been declared at risk by the scientific community.

4. Issuing Endangered Species Act permits and agreements and developing regulatory exemptions

The Minister of Environment is not a trained environmental scientist or biologist. The minister should always be required to consult with experts before allowing any act that could potentially impact the species at risk or its habitat. Charging companies money to destroy habitats that took millions of years to create is not equal. There is no amount of money that can replace vital habitat to many species at risk. Once that habitat is lost, it is lost forever. Companies that already cause damage to wildlife and the environment should be charged this now, while companies hoping to the destory habitat of species at risk should never be permitted to do so.

5. Enforcing the Endangered Species Act

The Minister of Environment is not a trained environmental scientist or biologist. The minister should not be allowed to extend protection order powers during the intervening period. If COSSARO recommended a species should be listed, the species should be listed without the say of the Minister.