ERO# 013-5033 Thank you for…

ERO# 013-5033

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to the ESA. I strongly oppose the changes that are being considered. They will not improve outcomes for species at risk. On the contrary, they would make it easier for industry and developers to destroy the habitats of our most vulnerable plants and animals.

More specifically, I do not support changes which would introduce broad ministerial discretion to interfere with the science-based listing process, to suspend and limit protections, and to ignore legislated timelines for policies and reporting. Interfering with a science based listing process completely invalidates any science as the scientific determinations are open to being circumvented. In addition I do not support the “pay-to-slay” scheme that would grease the wheels of destruction by allowing developers and other proponents of harmful activities to pay into a fund in lieu of fulfilling requirements for on-the-ground reparation for the damage they do to species and their habitats. Once these species and habitats have been destroyed no amount of reparations will bring them back.

This is short term thinking at it's finest, especially from an economic perspective as developing wetlands (which are giant sponges) will increase future flooding. Also destroying natural space and species at risk will hurt tourism and recreation. Ontario should be leader in sustainable development not urban sprawl so this is all extremely disappointing.

Improving outcomes for species at risk requires enforcement, not weakening, of the law. It also requires investment in stewardship, not writing off species at risk and their habitats as red tape.