I have lived or worked in…

I have lived or worked in the natural spaces of Canada for most of my life and in many provinces including close to two decades in Ontario. The review of the ESA is welcome. I was around when this legislation was passed by the former Liberal government and witnessed the gloating by the group of ENGOs that lobbied and who largely wrote the legislation. This legislation is completely unbalanced, places single species like caribou ahead of ecosystems, northern citizens, their culture and their socio-economic welfare.

It has been a relief that forest management has been exempted three successive times under section 55 of the ESA. The former Liberal government originally gave this exemption in recognition of the chaos and destruction that would result from the ESA application to broad forest landscapes. Is a sense it was recognition of the fundamental flaws in the legislation. Unfortunately this situation remains and the proposed amendments to Section 18 do not create certainty around our use and enjoyment of the forest for sustainable pursuits.

I have watched successive leaders in the MNRF make promises for balance and inclusion in the development of regulations under the ESA. Meaningful involvement by stakeholder has yet to happen despite these overtures over more than a decade. I can only surmise that these repeated promises have been put to the side because the MNRF knew that the ESA would kill jobs, close mills and damage many northern communities.

This is why a Section 55 exemption for forestry needs to be permanent. Ontario has an amazingly diverse forest which remains home to hundreds of communities and species. It has been this way for centuries. Our policy and legal environment for the conservation of our Natural Environment is second to none. Don't change that by imposing a new law that will put one of a few species ahead of all others.