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.
As a forestry professional I look forward to the benefits of a modern and more effective Endangered Species Act (ESA). Generally, I am optimistic that this will result in improved outcomes for species at risk while ensuring Ontario is a place to grow the forest sector by unleashing its full potential and providing good-paying jobs for forestry workers. However, the vagueness of the proposed changes does not provide the necessary business certainty for the forest sector. The unprecedented economic downturn of 2008 decimated the forest industry in Northern Ontario; re-establishing its presence and strength is vitally important. Business does not tolerate uncertainty and as such will invest elsewhere.

To be confident that Ontario is the right place for investment, the forest sector requires a permanent section 55 regulation that recognizes the Crown Forest Sustainability Act (CFSA) as an equivalent process to the Endangered Species Act. I do not support the proposed section 18 “harmonization” option for the forest sector. The CFSA already provides landscape, stand, and site-level direction for managing, conserving, and protecting species at risk. Having two acts attempting to accomplish the same outcome represents the single greatest piece of red tape and duplication to this sector.