Dear Minister for…

Dear Minister for Environment, Conservation and Parks,
Cc: Environmental Registry of Ontario
Cc: My local MPP whose riding I live in
cc: Premier Ford and Cabinet

Re: EBR 013-4143: 10th Year Review of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the ESA review discussion paper. Though I support the stated intent to provide more stringent protections for species at risk, the proposals being considered will not accomplish that goal. On the contrary, for the most part they would make it easier for industry and developers to destroy the habitats of our most vulnerable plants and animals.

Any amendments to the ESA must support its purpose of protecting and recovering at-risk species. To that end, I urge MECP to:

- Repeal the 2013 exemptions for the forestry, hydro, mining and development industries;
- 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;
- Maintain COSSARO’s current science-based listing process;
- Maintain mandatory habitat protection with no ministerial discretion; and
- Maintain the requirement for proponents of harmful activities to provide an on-the-ground overall benefit to species impacted with no backdoor option to simply pay into a fund to compensate for harm as this is not protection it is a buy-out with no hope of recovery or restoration.

You can do better in protecting species at risk and their habitats, meeting biodiversity goals and leaving a healthy, vibrant environmental legacy for next generations. Save and protect our species at risk. Don't buy them out for short term gain that results in long term biodiversity loss.

Thank you for your attention
Ontario citizen, farm & forest owner-manager, biologist, community volunteer and voting taxpayer