As an Ontario resident I am…

As an Ontario resident I am vehemently opposed to the removal of the Ontario Endangered Species Act. It makes no ecological sense, and will only act to harm an already precarious and delicate system, which currently faces many threats from human encroachment and climate change.

Under the current ESA all decisions are made by an independent body, based on empirical evidence, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. The current ESA protects animals on the list from being killed, from harm, harassment and protects habitat.
The proposed amended ESA is geared towards development and not conservation. With the new ESA, Ontario will be able to override the independent decision making body. This is corrupt and dangerous. The habitat currently protected by legislation will be reduced for profit. Harassing endangered species is permitted under this new ESA, and a new registration based permit system will reduce the impact of consultations. Under this new ESA Ontario will no longer be required to create guidance or best practices documents.

As climate change increases rapidly and it's outcomes still remain unknown, this is not the time to destroy what fragile ecosystems Ontario has left. We should as a province be doing all that we can to preserve and build ecological health and resilience, and be acting as guardians of this land.