Economic development and the…

Economic development and the efficiency of implementing regulations related to endangered species are important, but not as important as ensuring the protection and maintenance of environmentally-sound procedures. When reducing inefficiencies and the bureaucracy of carrying out the mandate of the Act the priority of ecosystems and endangered species can not be left to the wayside. This is also pertinent in the province’s emphasis on economic development. Business proposals and economic development should not negatively impact our environment and such projects require care and a diligent understanding of the repercussions on ecosystems inhabited by endangered species. Therefore, it’s crucial this update to the Endangered Species Act not lose sight of its original mandate nor its essential prioritizing of the state of Ontario’s ecosystems and species above other political/economic outcomes. This should include a reduced number of exemptions to the Act for businesses, new regulations that outline the conditions under which exemptions can be denied, and public oversight as well as transparency in this exemption process, which impacts us all as Ontarians.