1. Landscape Approaches I…

1. Landscape Approaches
I support both coarse-grained (landscape) and fine-grained (species-specific) approaches to recovering species. At the landscape level we need to take action to improve habitat and protect species from harm.

Regarding landscape efforts, yesterday (Mar 1, 2019), the UN General Assembly declared the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, aiming to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems. This initiative offers unparalleled opportunity for job creation, enhanced food and water security, climate change action and biodiversity protection including endangered species.

In situations where a species-specific approach is warranted, we need action to help meet species' individual needs.

2. Species Listing Process and Protections
The ability of the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) to determine the status of species, independent of government, is essential to the proper functioning of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Improved communication and transparency in all aspects of species assessment and protection is warranted to provide clarity for the public and business.

Habitat loss or degradation is a primary cause for species decline. Automatic protection, combined with clear communication on where impacts can and cannot occur, would protect species while providing certainty of what to expect for economic development.

3. Species Recovery Policy and Habitat Regulations
Delays and inaction are detrimental to species while at the same time providing little economic certainty since business is uninformed of the parameters under which they must operate. What is needed for species and economic development is for government to focus resources on quickly providing the framework for protecting habitat and taking action.

4. Permitting Processes
We are in favour of consistent application and streamlining of decisions, which must also include decisions to deny a permit for an activity that would harm a species or its habitat. Permits allowing harm to endangered species or their habitat poses considerable risk so need to come with strict conditions. Extinction is permanent.