I strongly object to the…

I strongly object to the proposed replacement of the Endangered Species Act with a much weaker Species Conservation Act. The passing of Bill 5 takes 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 false.
An example of the likely repercussions is the endangered Piping Plover. As is the case with so many species declining habitat and human interference has resulted in a significant decline in their population. It has taken years of protections of these shorebirds and their habitat, both across Ontario and in the lower Great Lakes regions of the United States, so result in an increase in their population. Ontario, and specifically Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, with oversight by Birds Canada, have been respected partners in these efforts.
Of further concern to the endangered Piping Plover is the proposed transfer of 60% of Wasaga’s beach and beachfront to the Town of Wasaga Beach. The proposed transfer includes all of the habitat used by the plovers for the last 18 breeding seasons. Wasaga Beach has been the most successful site in Ontario during that time. 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. They see them as an inconvenience and as interfering with Tourism even though many residents and visitors are fully supportive of efforts to protect this endangered species.
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. Ontario’s ESA was once considered the gold standard of species at risk legislation in Canada but will be that no longer. This is a significant step in the wrong direction for our biodiversity.
Respectfully Submitted.