Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 10th Year Review of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act: Proposed changes, ERO number 013-5033. I look forward in seeing improvements to the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and ensure a balanced approach between a healthy environment and a healthy economy.

In order to avoid catastrophic socio-economic impacts, the most important action the government must take is a permanent recognition of the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) as an equivalent process to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) through a permanent Section 55 Regulation. The CFSA already provides landscape, stand, and site-level direction for managing, conserving, and protecting species at risk. Ontario is home to some of the most strict and effective laws when it comes to species at risk. We don't need two acts attempting to accomplish the same outcome. More red tape will not improve habitat protection! Section 55 Regulation has already been successfully defended in court in the past. We are asking the provincial Government to take this workable, temporary solution and make it permanent.