I have heard statements and…

I have heard statements and read policies coming from this government that show an inclination to favour economic development at the expense of environmental protection — and this worries me. I spent a decade building a small business and came to resent unnecessary red tape, but I worry about the planet that we are leaving our children and future generations and have never regarded regulations that protect the environment as unnecessary. Most of people that I know, including many in the business community, feel the same way. Efforts to roll back environment protections strike us a reflection of unbridled greed.

I see in the discussion paper an inclination to find ways to water down existing provisions protecting endangered species so as to facilitate economic development. I think this is wrong headed. Measures intended to protect of species at risk, even when stronger than absolutely necessary, testify to a commitment to a sustainable future, a future in which the planet is no less healthy than it is today - and hopefully healthier. If you folks haven't noticed, the world is currently in the midst of an extinction rivalling the other major extinctions of the past. The difference with this extinction is that we can choose to do something about it. Do your jobs!