Endangered Species Act…

Endangered Species Act contravenes the Crown Forest Sustainability Act and puts Forestry jobs at risk. The forestry industry already has an entire process in place in order to protect endangered species on a landscape scale through the implementation of forest management plans. These plans ensure the protection and creation multiple habitat types that native species require in order to be successful. Furthermore, on a smaller scale endangered species and other wildlife are preserved through a fine filter approach that will protect areas of concern like nests, den's, water values, and caribou nursing areas etc. . It is already a challenge for the forest industry to find an adequate wood supply in Ontario and the last thing it needs is more red tape. Especially, for something that is already being intensively managed for. Forestry and mining are the lifeblood of the Northwest that support families, indigenous peoples, and communities. Please consider providing a permanent exemption to the ESA for the forest industry.