ERO 025-0909 I write to…

ERO 025-0909

I write to express my deep disappointment in the replacement of the Endangered Species Act with a much weaker Species Conservation Act. The passing of Bill 5 took away protections from 106 Species at Risk, many of which are highly endangered, and these protections are not restored in the proposed Species Conservation Act. Amongst those no longer protected are 42 aquatic species and migratory birds. Protections for these species are being offloaded to grossly inadequate federal legislation, leaving them with virtually no protection. Ontario had some of the best protections for Species at Risk, and to see these dismantled is deeply disturbing. The assertion that there is no need for these protections because they duplicate Federal protections is completely false. 

An example of the likely repercussions is the Piping Plover. Like so many species, human interference caused a decline in their population and it has only been because of years of protections of these shorebirds and their habitat, both across Ontario and in the lower Great Lakes regions of the United States, that the population has slowly been rebounding. Ontario, and indeed Wasgaga Beach Provincial Park, with oversight by Birds Canada, have been respected partners in these efforts.

Of further concern to this particular endangered species is the proposed transfer of 60% of Waasga's beach and beachfront to the Municipality. The proposed transfer includes all of the habitat used by the plovers for the last 18 breeding seasons. Indeed, Wasaga Beach has been the most successful site in Ontario. If the transfer out of the Provincial Park happens, there will be no requirements for the Town to protect the plovers and, in fact, historically they have shown little interest in having these birds nest on what they consider prime tourist beach areas, seeing them as an inconvenience and as interfering with Tourism (while ignoring the fact that there are 14 kilometers of beach, by far exceeding the needs of tourists).

In summary I urge the Ontario Government to redraft the proposed Species Conservation Act, to return protections for all Species at Risk in Ontario to their former status.

Respectfully Submitted.