I am greatly concerned that…

I am greatly concerned that the discussion paper issued by the government of Ontario will not provide greater protection for species at risk, but will simply make it easier for industry and developers to destroy the habitat for species at risk.
Any changes to the ESA must support its purpose of protecting and recovering species at risk. To that end, I urge the government to:
1. Repeal the 2013 exemptions for various sectors, including forestry, hydro, mining and development industries.
2. Amend section 57 (1)1 of the ESA so that exemptions will only be allowed if they do not jeopardize the survival and recovery of endangered and threatened species.
3. Do not change COSSARO’s current science-based listing process. The listing of species at risk should not be a political decision.
4. Mandatory habitat protection for threatened and endangered species should remain. The minister should not be interfering with the protection of species at risk.
5. Maintain meaningful overall benefit requirements for species at risk from all development proposals. Proponents should not be able to simply pay into a fund to compensate for harm to species at risk or their habitat.

Many species continue to decline across the world and in Ontario and it is our responsibility to protect species at risk. I look forward to seeing an even stronger ESA after this review process.