I have some grave concerns…

I have some grave concerns about the proposed changes to the ESA, and the following are a few:

-Allowing developers the opportunity to pay a fee in order to proceed with activities that would harm species at risk and their habitats is just wrong.

-COSSARO is comprised of scientists. The proposal to broaden COSSARO membership to those with "community knowledge" is vague. Will they be scientists? Do they have adequate expertise in species assessments? Or will they comprise of individuals with ulterior motives?

-It would be concerning if the assessments were based on how a species at risk is doing in another geographic location within or outside of Ontario. This is a concerning justification to proceed with harmful activities. We cannot afford to lose any species at risk in any habitat.

-In addition to the rejection of science, I'm also concerned about the delays with regards to the listing, planning, and reporting on species at risk and during that time, losing vulnerable flora and fauna before receiving those protections.

There are too many species in an already vulnerable predicament. Our planet is in a vulnerable predicament. The proposed changes would make things much worse.