These proposed changes seem…

These proposed changes seem largely designed to remove, delay and frustrate legitimate protections
(translation: obstacles) for developers, and allow the Minister more flexibility and latitude in ignoring or delaying much needed measures to protect at-risk species. By transferring authority in these matters to the Minister, and giving him/her the option of acting contrary to the aims of the act, and instead in the interest of "social" or "economic" concerns, you are essentially opening the door for widespread abandonment of essential species protections in the interest of being "open for business". But hey, go ahead and make them pay a token "fine" ... that's gotta soothe the conscience as species are disappearing forever in the interest of a new housing development, right? We didn't vote for this, and I heartily object to these changes. Protecting all species on our planet is more important than commercial development, and these rules cannot simply be relaxed in the interest of the almighty dollar.